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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-09-03 Daily Xml
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Operation Babylift

The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:42): Fifty years ago, as the Vietnam War drew to a close, Saigon was engulfed in crisis. Orphanages overflowed with children, many abandoned or orphaned by the conflict, facing hunger and an uncertain fate. In response, Australia and its allies acted with extraordinary resolve, airlifting nearly 3,000 infants during the chaotic final days of the war. Most were sent to North America, but around 300 came to Australia, where they found new families and futures. This mission became known as Operation Babylift.

The Royal Australian Air Force, Qantas crews and volunteers worked tirelessly, some even sacrificing their lives to evacuate these children. Babies were carried in cardboard boxes, strapped into plane seats or held by caregivers on perilous flights to safety. It was a beacon of hope, driven by the belief that every child deserves a chance to thrive.

But what became of these children as they grew into adulthood? The outcomes for Babylift adoptees are diverse and often complex. Many describe loving upbringings, yet some wrestled with identity, cultural disconnection and the pain of searching for birth families. Today, I want to share two stories that reflect the mission's lasting impact.

One is that of Chantal Doecke, who arrived in Adelaide as a newborn just days old on a Qantas flight from Saigon on 5 April 1975. Born premature with her umbilical cord still attached, Chantal was placed in a shoe box on the plane, not expected to survive the journey, yet she defied the odds, thriving in the care of her adoptive family.

Now a mother of four and a grandmother, Chantal has built a vibrant life surrounded by love. Raised with warmth, love and security, Chantal still carries a quiet ache, longing to know her origins and the fates of her biological parents. Recently, with the help of ancestry.com, she made a life-changing discovery: she had a twin brother living in Brisbane. Their emotional reunion 50 years after their separation brought answers to long-held questions and strengthened her connection to her Vietnamese heritage. Though she has made several trips to Vietnam, her search for her biological parents continues.

Like Chantal, Suanne Prager's journey began in Saigon and led to a life of purpose in Australia. Suanne was three years old when she was airlifted, arriving malnourished and frail. Welcomed into a loving Adelaide family, she grew up to become a passionate advocate for refugee rights, sharing her story through community work and storytelling.

In 2007, Suanne reunited with her biological mother in Saigon, a moment of healing that deepened her pride in her dual identity. Her reunion with RAAF pilot Ian Frame, who had photographed her on the tarmac as a child, further cemented her gratitude for the mission that brought her to Australia.

Of course, Operation Babylift faced challenges. Some children were separated from living relatives due to the chaos of war and incomplete records. Yet despite these hardships, the mission remains a story of hope triumphing over adversity. Now in their 50s, these adoptees stand as living proof of compassion's power to transform lives. They are raising families, pursuing dreams and giving back to their communities. Chantal's reunion with her twin brother and Suanne's embrace of her heritage remind us of the mission's enduring legacy.

As we mark this 50th anniversary let us honour the courage of those who made Operation Babylift possible and renew our commitment to displaced children everywhere, ensuring that every child, no matter where they begin, has a chance to shine.

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