Legislative Council Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1) 55 1 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Matters of Interest Fall of Saigon Anniversary Fall of Saigon Anniversary The Hon. T.T. NGO Legislative Council The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:27): Fifty years ago today, on 30 April 1975, the North Vietnamese communists invaded South Vietnam and took over the city of Saigon. For Vietnamese refugees around the world, this day is remembered as Black April. The international Vietnamese community commemorates Black April and honours the fallen soldiers and compatriots who sacrificed their lives. We grieve for what has happened to Vietnam over the last 50 years. The Vietnamese communist government's abuse of power is a source of great pain for many Vietnamese, both in Vietnam and abroad. Our questions to the Vietnamese communist government are: Why, after 50 years of ruling Vietnam with hundreds of billions of dollars in foreign investment and foreign aid, does Vietnam still remain one of the poorest countries? Why, after 50 years, do Vietnamese people still lack basic health care and millions go hungry every day? Why does Vietnam remain one of the most corrupt countries in the world? Why, for 50 years, have the Vietnamese people been denied freedom of political association, freedom of the press and freedom of religion? Why does the government continue to crack down on human rights activists and those with differing views? Why, after 50 years, are so many people still trying to leave Vietnam by any means possible? As we commemorate this dark day, the Vietnamese Australian community also remembers how fortunate we are to call Australia home. In this country, our rights and freedoms are protected. Those who have fled war and oppression—myself and many others—have been granted the chance to live safe, peaceful and free lives. We were welcomed with open arms and given the opportunity to rebuild our lives. We thank Australia and its people for warmly welcoming and accepting the hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese refugees and migrants. We owe a debt of gratitude to the many Australians who gave their lives and their future in the Vietnam War, and also to the many Australian families who lost their loved ones. To repay this debt, Vietnamese Australians past, present and future live our lives in a way that betters this country, so we can honour those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom and our way of life. Thank you, Australia. Lest we forget.