Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise tonight, honoured and humbled, to pay tribute to a remarkable man. He was a man who was a member of Victoria's legal profession, he was a dedicated supporter of the Vietnamese community, and he was a dear friend. His name was Mr Ramon Frederico. His passing on 12 May this year coincided, poignantly, with the 50th anniversary of Vietnamese settlement in Australia, an occasion that reminds us of all of those who played a pivotal role in supporting refugees and shaping our multicultural society.

Ramon's connection with the Vietnamese community began in the late 1970s, just shortly after the first wave of Vietnamese refugees arrived in Australia under Liberal prime minister Malcolm Fraser—a very brave policy decision that that Liberal prime minister took at the time. These refugees faced immense challenges, including language barriers, cultural differences, uncertainty about housing and employment, and the very real fear, of all refugees, of starting over in a new land and an unfamiliar place. Local communities, too, understandably had concerns about this sudden influx of new arrivals, and it was the work of people just like Ramon Frederico that helped ease those tensions and foster understandings between communities.

He was a lawyer. He was practising in Richmond in Victoria at the time. He was uniquely placed then to provide legal support and advice to many of those early Vietnamese refugees who had limited English proficiency and very few resources. His efforts were complemented by collaborations with dedicated bilingual community leaders and professionals. Together they laid the foundation for vital support networks that would assist thousands of Vietnamese refugees in Victoria.

But Ramon's work extended beyond simple legal advice. He advocated. He advocated tirelessly with government agencies on behalf of refugees and their families, and he often helped arrange family sponsorships for those who were waiting in refugee camps across South Asia, ensuring that many were eventually reunited with their loved ones here in Australia. He also worked with the Victorian government to secure important concessions that allowed Vietnamese traders to operate on weekends. Now, this seemingly small change had a profound impact on the community's economic stability. It enabled many families to thrive while accommodating their work schedules.

Ramon Frederico's commitment to community went beyond that legal support and beyond that economic support. He also played a vital role in cultural preservation and community cohesion. He was instrumental in organising the first outdoor Lunar New Year, or Tet festival. He held it at Burnley Oval in Richmond—an event that's now a cherished annual celebration of Vietnamese culture in Australia. He supported youth programs and drop-in centres for unsupervised Vietnamese teenagers, and this cultural landmark also transformed into the Vietnamese restaurant on Victoria Street, Richmond, generating funds to support youth initiatives.

Despite this—and you probably guessed from his name—Ramon Frederico was not of Vietnamese background himself, but he was one of the few non-Vietnamese individuals to serve on the executive committee of the Vietnamese community. His advocacy and involvement bridged cultures. He created understandings and friendships between the Vietnamese community and the broader Australian society. I personally have met so many people in the Vietnamese community in Melbourne, in Victoria, just through knowing Ramon, because he made such deep and lasting and abiding friendships there.

His commitment to justice extended internationally. He did try to represent a Vietnamese human rights activist who was imprisoned for political reasons. His visa application was rejected by the Vietnamese government, but it symbolised his unwavering dedication to human rights and justice for all. Throughout his life, he encouraged the Vietnamese community to engage with mainstream political processes.

He was an extraordinary man. Beyond his professional life, he was known for his generosity and kindness to his family and friends and for his steadfast support for local businesses, particularly in Richmond and Footscray, and so many benefited from his wise counsel and encouragement. His approach to politics was marked by pragmatism, inclusiveness and a focus on serving his community. His legacy is one of bridging divides between cultures, generations and political views. He will be sorely missed. Vale, Ramon Frederico.

Senate adjourned at 19:35