Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Acting Deputy Speaker, and can I congratulate you on your reappointment to the Speaker's panel.

This year, Australia marks one of the most significant moments in the immigration history of Australia: 50 years since the arrival of Vietnamese refugees. The anniversary holds a particular meaning in my part of Sydney. When I talk to families who made that journey, I find it unimaginable to think of that moment 50 years ago when they had to make the decision to flee, seeing democracy fall behind them and not knowing what was ahead. For most families, like mine, you just presume you'll be in the country of your birth your life, and those Vietnamese families had all started with the same view.

In my first term, when I was first elected, I went to the Philippines—this was back in 2005—on a visit that had been organised by members of the local Vietnamese community. Back then, there were still stateless Vietnamese in the Philippines. They had failed in their refugee claim because of the speed of processing at the time, even though they were in identical situations to those who had successfully gone through their refugee processing. That was 30 years after the fall of Saigon. Thirty years after they started their journey, they were still trying to find refuge. I'm pleased that, in the years to follow, Australia, together with Canada and a couple of other countries, continued to take the remainder of those stateless Vietnamese.

We know that as their journey started on those vessels, so many people didn't make it. Others made part of the journey and then got stuck somewhere in the world. Those who made it to Australia arrived with very little physically but brought with them resilience, courage and a deep commitment to building a better future. It's been a long journey, but, speaking as Australia's immigration minister, I hope that so much of the pain has, over time, become more a moment of reflection and a moment where some of that hope that was there as those vessels embarked has been realised here in Australia.

A candlelight vigil and prayer service was held at the Vietnamese Boat People Monument, in Bankstown—a moving tribute to those lost at sea. When you look at the monument, no-one's looking back; they're all on a tiny vessel, looking ahead as democracy fell behind. At the commemorative service I noticed a sign beside me that said thank you to Australia, from the Vietnamese community. I say to the community: never underestimate how much Australia says thank you to you. We're a stronger nation because you are here, we are capable of more because you are here and we are grateful because you are here.

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