Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Hansard source

I, as a Victorian Liberal senator, take the rare opportunity to make a brief observation from the chair. I had the privilege of joining Tsebin Tchen's family and colleagues at the memorial service held at Melbourne Town Hall. His standing in the community was reflected in the number and diversity of those who attended: public figures; politicians, state and federal; former premiers; ministers of the current state Labor government; leaders of communities; multicultural commissioners; and, of course, family and friends.

Senator Cormann reminded us of Tsebin's election in 1999 as the first Asian-born member of federal parliament. It seems like so long ago in this place and it seems unimaginable, yet it is also oddly recent. It took so long to occur. He was always particularly proud of doing this from Victoria and from the Victorian Liberal Party. He did it at a time when, as Senator Wong outlined, Asian migration was the subject of a particularly unpleasant focus in this country. He was always proud of being able to engage with people and do it in a positive way, seeking to persuade rather than being belligerent. He was proud to repel the arguments forcefully but politely. He was proud to work with people like Jeff Kennett, whom I remember was a particularly aggressive opponent of those views at the time, as he went around the country in 1998 and 1999. In this sense, he was always a particularly proud Victorian Liberal and a particularly proud Victorian, knowing that multiculturalism was part of the fabric of his home state. He was always particularly proud to work with those who shared his values across boundaries of communities, across boundaries of politics and across boundaries of states and nations. I associate myself with the comments outlined by Senators Cormann and Wong. He saw that diversity as a particularly strong building block for this country.

The loss of a family member or friend is always sad, but this was particularly tragic in its swiftness and its unexpected nature. Personally, as a Victorian Liberal, I express, as I did on the day, my condolences to his family and to his friends and colleagues.

Question agreed to, honourable senators standing in their places.