Vietnamese Settlement in Australia

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. T.T. Ngo:

That this council—

1. Recognises that:

(a) this year, 2025, marks the 50^th anniversary of successful Vietnamese settlement in Australia; and

(b) this 50^th anniversary also marks the significant contributions Vietnamese Australians have made to modern Australian multicultural society, especially the introduction of Vietnamese culture such as food, art, music and the sharing of traditional celebrations.

2. Acknowledges that 2025 also marks the 50^th anniversary of the communist North Vietnam invasion of South Vietnam.

3. Acknowledges the economic disparities that persist in Vietnam, with a significant portion of the population still living in poverty despite economic growth.

4. Encourages the Vietnamese government to uphold international human rights standards, and work towards greater freedom of religion, speech and political freedom.

5. Calls on the Vietnamese government to continue to address the issues of corruption, injustice, and economic reforms to improve the lives of its citizens.

(Continued from 20 August 2025.)

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (16:41): I rise today to speak in support of this motion recognising the 50^th anniversary of Vietnamese settlement in Australia and acknowledging the significant contribution the Vietnamese community has made in South Australia. Thank you to the Hon. Tung Ngo for bringing forward this important motion.

This anniversary marks an important milestone—50 years since the first Vietnamese refugees arrived on our shores following the fall of Saigon in 1975. It is a story of courage, resilience and the best of Australian humanitarian spirit. Before 1974, fewer than 700 Vietnamese people lived in Australia. Most were students, orphans or the wives of ex-servicemen. But after the fall of Saigon, more than a million people fled Vietnam, escaping persecution and fear of the new regime. Many made dangerous journeys to escape. It is estimated that only half of those who fled by sea ever made it to safety.

Between 1975 and the mid-1990s, over 90,000 Vietnamese people were resettled in Australia. The Vietnamese community is one of the most vibrant and successful in our multicultural society. In South Australia, the contribution of our Vietnamese community has been great. According to census and ABS data, in 2016, 14,338 South Australians were born in Vietnam. In 2021, 19,017 people spoke Vietnamese at home and over 22,000 South Australians identified as having Vietnamese ancestry.

These families have built small businesses, raised children and contributed in many areas across our society. Few examples capture this story better than that of His Excellency the Hon. Hieu Van Le AC, a refugee who arrived in South Australia in 1977 and went on to serve as our state's 35^th Governor and the Lieutenant Governor before that. He remains the first Vietnamese person in the world to be appointed to vice-regal office. His story embodies the journey from hardship to leadership and the values that unite us and our migration story through courage and opportunity.

I would also like to acknowledge the Hon. Tung Ngo. He has made a wonderful contribution to our state. It is very unfortunate that he chose the wrong party, but he has certainly made a great contribution in South Australia and we thank him for that.

This motion also rightly acknowledges the more difficult realities that still face people in Vietnam today. Despite economic growth, deep inequities persist, with many citizens living in poverty. The Vietnamese government continues to restrict political freedoms, free speech and religious practice. The opposition strongly joins the call for the government of Vietnam to uphold international human rights standards—to promote justice, freedom of religion and political liberty, and to tackle corruption and inequity that limit opportunity for ordinary citizens.

As we mark 50 years of Vietnamese settlement in Australia, we honour the courage of those who fled oppression and built new lives in South Australia. As the Hon. Tung Ngo has stated in his contribution, the Vietnamese community has reflected with gratitude for what Australia has given them, but we too have much to be thankful for. Our state is more vibrant because of the Vietnamese people who call South Australia home.

The Hon. J.S. LEE (16:44): I rise today in full support of the Hon. Tung Ngo's motion commemorating the 50^th anniversary of Vietnamese settlement in Australia. This motion not only honours the resilience and significant contributions of the Vietnamese community but also reflects on the enduring values of freedom, democracy, multiculturalism and inclusion that define our nation. I would like to firstly thank the Hon. Tung Ngo for moving this important motion and for sharing some of his personal stories and experiences. I also want to congratulate him for being the first Vietnamese Australian ever elected to the South Australian parliament and thank him for his contributions.

Fifty years ago, on 30 April 1975, the Fall of Saigon marked the end of the Vietnam War and the beginning of one of the largest humanitarian crises of the 20^th century. In the wake of this conflict, nearly two million Vietnamese people fled their homeland, risking their lives in overcrowded boats to escape persecution and oppression from the Vietnamese communist government. Sadly, more than 500,000 people died or disappeared during this tragic time. The sacrifices made by the South Vietnamese in defence of freedom and democracy continues to resonate deeply, as many still grieve for loved ones lost in battle, at sea, and for the beloved homeland they were forced to leave forever.

It has been a privilege to attend many memorial services over the years and the commemoration event this year, particularly, marking the 50^th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon is of significant scale. Hosted by the Vietnamese Community in Australia SA Chapter, the Vietnam Veterans Association of SA and other Vietnamese veterans' organisations, these events have brought the Vietnamese and broader community together to remember and reflect on the profound sacrifices and terrible hardships faced during those darkest hours. I want to pay tribute to the President of VCASA, Councillor Quin Tran, and her committee, as well as Mr Dang-Thao Nguyen, VVASA President, and his committee for their strong leadership, commitment and dedication to serve the Vietnamese community of South Australia.

This year is also an important opportunity to recognise and celebrate the remarkable contributions and achievements of the Vietnamese community who found a safe home and proud heartland in South Australia. The arrival of the first Vietnamese refugees in Brisbane on 9 August 1975 marked a turning point in our immigration history and changed Australia forever. It was the first major intake of non-European migrants following the end of the White Australia policy. Over the next two decades, more than 90,000 Vietnamese people were resettled in Australia, and today over 330,000 Australians proudly claim Vietnamese heritage. South Australia played a pivotal role in this journey.

As I highlighted recently when speaking about the Australian Refugee Association, the Indo-China Refugee Association (as it was then known) was founded in Adelaide in 1975 and became a beacon of hope for Vietnamese refugees. ICRA quickly became the national voice promoting the intake of refugees and providing resettlement services and support. Within just six months of its incorporation, ICRA had successfully supported the first 50 Vietnamese refugees to settle in Adelaide, helping them find housing and jobs.

Since then, the Vietnamese community in South Australia has flourished, showing their resilience, perseverance and determination every step of the way. From the early days of settlement in Pennington's Nissen huts to the vibrant cultural celebrations we now enjoy, Vietnamese Australians have enriched our state and contributed to every aspect of our economy and society.

I also want to take this moment to pay tribute to the Hon. Hieu Van Le, our 35^th Governor of South Australia, for his incredible contribution, not just to South Australia but around Australia, and the impact he has made on so many people's lives.

Coming back to the census data, the 2021 census showed that more than 22,000 South Australians have Vietnamese ancestry, and Vietnam is now the third-largest, non-English-speaking country of origin for South Australians born overseas. I believe there are more than 40 registered organisations serving the Vietnamese community in South Australia, providing vital, culturally sensitive support and services to families and individuals across our state. It has been a privilege to work closely with so many outstanding Vietnamese community leaders and organisations over my 15 years in parliament. Their tireless efforts and dedication to service, cultural preservation and community development have enriched our state in countless ways in every aspect of our society.

South Australia is truly fortunate to be home to such a hardworking, resilient and vibrant Vietnamese community. As we mark this 50-year milestone, I take this opportunity to formally acknowledge their significant achievements and enduring contributions that have helped shape a more inclusive, compassionate and culturally diverse South Australia. With those remarks, I wholeheartedly support the motion and thank the Hon. Tung Ngo for moving the motion.

The Hon. T.T. NGO (16:51): I thank the Hon. Heidi Girolamo and the Hon. Jing Lee for their very kind words about myself and the community. Also on behalf of the community I would like to thank all members past and present for their support over a 50-year journey in terms of resettling many new Vietnamese arrivals in the seventies, eighties, nineties and the present day.

Motion carried.