Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I move:

That the Senate records its deep sorrow at the death, on 25 November 2019, of Tsebin Tchen, former senator for Victoria; places on record its gratitude for his service in the parliament and the nation; and extends its profound sympathy to his family in their bereavement.

We were all deeply saddened when we heard the news late last year that our former friend and colleague Tsebin Tchen had passed away. It was sudden and unexpected. Even at the age of 78, Tsebin had so much more still to give. At the time of his passing, Tsebin was as active in the community and as passionate about multiculturalism as ever. Throughout his life he worked tirelessly to bridge cultural divides. Tsebin was devoted to uniting Australia's many communities, because he believed the cultures that make up our country are stronger than one. And he was of course right. We have lost one of the guardian angels of multiculturalism in Australia, as he was specifically affectionately known as.

I didn't personally have the pleasure of knowing Tsebin, but I wish I had. In a touching tribute after his passing, a Chinese-Australian advocate and writer expressed her gratitude to her dear 'Uncle Bin'. She said his mentoring and support of the next generation of leaders will be remembered forever by her and so many others, which speaks volumes about the vast and powerful impact that Tsebin had on Australia's multicultural community, particularly Chinese Australians. We should all strive to be more like Uncle Bin.

Like many of us—in fact, like both the Leader of the Opposition and I—Tsebin was born overseas. He came to Australia in the 1950s on a student visa with no promise of being able to remain here after his studies because of the then White Australia policy. But he saw a future here and he pursued it. Tsebin graduated with a master's degree in town planning at the University of Sydney, and, thanks to the efforts of successive governments to dismantle the White Australia policy, he received Australian citizenship in 1971.

As a son of a Republic of China diplomat, he had an innate interest in politics that led him to join the Liberal Party in 1972. He volunteered on the campaign of then Prime Minister William McMahon. As a town planner, he was deeply passionate about community development and bringing people together, but he knew he could make a more significant difference by putting his energies into politics. In 1999, Tsebin entered the Senate, representing Victoria, and in the process became the first Asian-born migrant elected to our federal parliament. His ascension to this place came in the face of growing hostility from some quarters of politics towards Asian Australians. That did not faze him. He often told those he mentored, 'You have to be in it to change it.' Tsebin's presence here undeniably helped create a parliament that better reflected our diverse community, and it wasn't long before my friend and colleague across the chamber Senator Wong joined him as another Asian Australian in our federal parliament. In his first speech, Tsebin highlighted the 'special significance' of his election. He said it served 'as a reinforcing symbol and a call to those who are Australians by choice that they belong'. He said:

It is also an act of affirmation by the people of Australia that every Australian, regardless of his or her cultural or historic background, stands equal in the eyes of his or her fellow citizens.

Tsebin was a symbol of multicultural success in Australian politics and a figure of hope and aspiration for his beloved Chinese Australian community. He gave people who, like him, have come to Australia confidence that they have a role and place in our democracy—the feeling that they belong.

Tsebin performed diligently during his term in the Senate. He played an influential role in migration policy, sitting on several committees, including chairing the government members policy committee on immigration and multicultural affairs between 2000 and 2004. His presence within the Liberal Party provided unique and valuable insights into Australia's engagement with the region, especially East Asia.

After his retirement from politics, Tsebin continued to promote the value of multiculturalism, amplifying the voices of those who are not readily heard. He became a commissioner of the Victorian Multicultural Commission in 2015 and a member of the Australian Multicultural Council in 2018. Tsebin was also made an adjunct professor at Swinburne University of Technology, pursuing his deep interest in Chinese Australian history, which he believed should be treated as an integral part of Australian history. In his life, Tsebin punctured the bamboo ceiling and, through his efforts, he has left behind a more diverse and inclusive Australia. It is fitting that his family has established a foundation in his honour to continue his work and ensure his legacy lives on. The 'guardian angel of multiculturalism' will always be with us. To Tsebin's wife, Pauline, and children Jacinta and Adrian, on behalf of the government and the Australian Senate and in tribute to a much-loved man, I join with my colleagues in offering my sincerest condolences. May Tsebin rest in peace.