Motions

Australian Refugee Association

The Hon. J.S. LEE (17:15): I move:

That this council—

1. Congratulates the Australian Refugee Association (ARA) for celebrating its 50^th anniversary in 2025;

2. Acknowledges that since 1975, ARA has supported over 96,000 refugees, providing essential services to help them become independent citizens and empowering newly arrived communities to participate actively in all aspects of life in Australia;

3. Recognises that ARA supports newly arrived individuals in a variety of ways including health, employment, connection to community, migration support as well as targeted youth programs to engage and empower young people; and

4. Commends the leadership of CEO Chris Chalubek, the former CEO Deb Stringer, board chair Kathy Kingston, and the past patronage of former South Australian Governor His Excellency the Hon. Hieu Van Le AO along with the dedication of the board, management, staff and volunteers in making ARA's mission a success.

It is a great privilege to rise today to move this motion to congratulate the Australian Refugee Association (ARA) for celebrating its 50^th anniversary in 2025. This is a truly remarkable milestone in the life of an organisation that has profoundly shaped the lives of tens of thousands of individuals and families.

The Australian Refugee Association was born out of a vision of a society that welcomes those fleeing persecution, war and hardship and offers them not only safety but dignity, opportunity and belonging within a democratic society. Many honourable members may be aware that there are 123.2 million forcibly displaced people worldwide. Of these, 36.8 million are deemed refugees and, shockingly, 2.3 million children were born as refugees between 2018 and 2024.

The UNHCR states that Australia continues to play a prominent role in regional protection efforts. The history of Australia's refugee program can be traced back at least 170 years. The first easily identifiable group of refugees were Lutherans who began settling in South Australia from 1839 to escape restrictions on their right to worship. During the 19^th century other settlers included Hungarians, Italians and Poles leaving situations of religious and political persecution. The post World War II period also saw the arrival of nearly a million refugees and people in humanitarian need.

In terms of more recent data, as of 2024 Australia hosts tens of thousands of refugees, asylum seekers and stateless individuals and remains a critical partner in advancing international protection and solutions in the Asia-Pacific region.

Since its beginning as a grassroots movement of dedicated volunteers in 1975, ARA has supported more than 96,000 refugees, helping them to rebuild their lives in their new home and become active, empowered independent citizens who participate in all aspects of life in our society. This is not just a number. Behind each of those 96,000 lives is a story of courage, resilience and transformation. ARA has provided vital services to individuals and families as they navigated the challenges of resettlement, language and cultural barriers, employment and education. It has done so with compassion, professionalism and unwavering commitment to human dignity.

I would like to take a moment to reflect on the incredible history and legacy of ARA and provide a glimpse into its many achievements over the past five decades. In June 1975, in response to a humanitarian crisis following the end of the Vietnam War, a group of concerned citizens gathered in the living room of Peter and Barbara Engelhardt, forming the Indo-China Refugee Association (ICRA).

This year marks the 50^th anniversary of the fall of Saigon. I have attended many memorial services and significant events hosted by the Vietnamese Community in Australia SA Chapter, the Vietnam Veterans Association and other Vietnam veterans organisations, and during those commemoration services all the speakers made moving speeches and painted a vivid picture of the darkest hours and horrifying conditions the South Vietnamese people faced following the fall of Saigon in April 1975.

Thousands of people from the Indochina region were fleeing war and oppression, and ICRA quickly became the national voice, promoting the intake of refugees and providing resettlement services and support. ICRA was incorporated in November 1975 and the first 50 Vietnamese refugees settled in Adelaide by 1976, supported by ICRA to find housing and jobs within just six months.

The pioneering founder of ICRA achieved remarkable outcomes: welcoming and supporting refugees, setting a national precedent of effective and compassionate resettlement, establishing programs for unaccompanied minors and war orphans, and helping to provide safe housing, mentorship and education for many young Vietnamese children. I know that the Hon. Tung Ngo has recounted many stories about people he knows personally and also his family.

Under the leadership of the organisation's first CEO, Kevin Liston, ICRA extended its services throughout the 1980s. To reflect the broader mission, ICRA officially became known as the Australian Refugee Association in 1994. In 1990, ARA helped establish STTARS, which is the Survivors of Torture and Trauma Assistance and Rehabilitation Service, and I believe most members would know about its strong advocacy.

Around this time, ARA also launched a dedicated employment service for CALD communities, becoming South Australia's only specialist provider under the job network system. ARA continues to be very active and innovative in this space, establishing training programs that assist individuals gain their driver's licence or white card, and providing workshops and tailoring support to help new arrivals overcome barriers to employment.

I have also seen the benefits of their business program, which helps small home-based businesses set up their own business, and those skills are also transferable to employment. Today, ARA is the largest settlement, engagement and transition support provider in South Australia, supporting over 6,000 refugees from more than 50 countries each year. With 80 per cent of its staff coming from a refugee or migrant background, their lived experience and cultural understanding is central to ARA's responsive, client-centred and community-focused services.

This success and wideranging impact would not have been possible without outstanding leadership that has guided ARA to evolve and adapt over the years. I wish to first acknowledge the chairperson, Cathy Kingston, who first joined the board in 2018 and was then appointed as chair in 2024, who has a strong commitment to human rights and social justice. I also acknowledge all the previous chairs who have contributed to ARA's success.

Many honourable members will also know the former CEO, Deb Stringer, who retired from the role last year after leading ARA for six years. Deb was instrumental in strengthening ARA's capacity, leading the organisation through a period of tremendous growth. We should commend Deb for her dedication, building on ARA's legacy of compassion and courage. I got to know Deb really well. I remember one particular year during Refugee Week, I ran into her four times. She is an incredible lady.

ARA is now under the leadership of the new CEO, Chris Chalubek. I want to congratulate him on being appointed and I trust that his passion and experience will continue to steer ARA with integrity and purpose. I also want to acknowledge the wonderful deputy CEO, Semira Julardzija. I have got to know Semira through many multicultural events. She is a fantastic contributor to ARA and also to our broader multicultural community.

Speaking of the 50^th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, I want to take this moment to honour the past patronage of His Excellency the Hon. Hieu Van Le AO, former Governor of South Australia. Because of his own personal journey as a refugee, he brought a wealth of experience and has been instrumental in helping guide ARA in its advocacy and service delivery. Finally, a special thank you to all past and current board members, management, staff and volunteers for their tireless efforts and lasting contributions to ARA's mission to creating an inclusive and welcoming society.

As a first-generation migrant myself, I am proud to be an Australian. At the same time, I cherish my own cultural heritage. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity that Australia has provided me and my family. We have come such a long way since the White Australia policy was revoked in the 1970s. I truly believe that multiculturalism and diversity are our greatest strength. It is unfortunate that some people do not think that way, but I think all of us have the responsibility in parliament to ensure that the harmonious assistance between different communities is valued.

We are incredibly fortunate that our diverse multicultural communities contribute to every aspect of our economy and our society. I believe that we all aspire to live in a better community, a community that is characterised by trust, respect, open communication and shared values, fostering an inclusive and harmonious environment where people feel valued and connected.

I have spoken many times in this parliament about Refugee Week. I just want to reinforce that refugees bring a lot of contributions, resilience and cultural richness to our society, and we should treat them with great respect and humility. Refugee Week highlights the positive aspects of diversity and an inclusive society that opens our arms to refugees, ultimately making sure that they can participate in our society in a meaningful way. Organisations like ARA play a vital role in ensuring this diversity is not only celebrated but supported.

International conflicts and global uncertainties remain. Australia has a role to play in offering sanctuary and support, but refugee resettlement is not without its challenges. It requires coordinated policy, adequate resources and community goodwill. It requires us as legislators and leaders to ensure that our systems are fair, humane and responsive to the realities faced by displaced people. ARA's work will remain essential in helping new arrivals integrate, thrive and contribute to our shared future.

I recently participated in a Youth Ambassador Program organised by ARA. I want to commend them for their investment and, in promoting young people, shaping the future of our state. It was really wonderful to meet so many inspiring, passionate young people at ARA's recent youth leadership event in August.

I look forward to formally celebrating ARA's 50^th anniversary in November this year with many honourable members in this house, I am sure, to reflect on the association's wide-reaching achievements and the tangible impact it has had for so many lives. It is an honour to move this motion today to recognise the Australian Refugee Association and its mission of empowering courageous people in their journey to settle in Australia. Congratulations once again on a remarkable five decades, and I wish ARA every success in the many years ahead.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.