For example, the number of Chinese Australians elected to all levels of Australia’s political landscape has exploded in recent years. Four of these politicians—Gabriel Ng, Gladys Liu, Julie-Ann Campbell and Sam Lim—have already found their way to become party power brokers. They bring unique experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. This diversity serves as a testament to their unique challenges and victories as they continue navigating the turbulent waters of Australian politics.
The increase in representation couldn’t come at a better time with the upcoming 2025 election cycle campaign. During this campaign, the electorate of Menzies, which has a large Chinese Australian community, became the swing force. Almost 30 percent of Menzies’ electorate base have Chinese ancestry. This growing demographic has made the area a major battleground for candidates hoping to connect with and energize the most voters. The arrival of these politicians represents a beautiful new chapter in Australian democracy, recognizing the power of inclusivity and representation.
Diverse Backgrounds and Shared Experiences
Gabriel Ng, a politician with Chinese heritage, was recently spotted with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Golden Lily restaurant during the election campaign in Menzies. Ng called attention to the stereotypes and misrepresentation of the Chinese Australian population. He pointed out that many of the people talking about this community, even some of the media, talk about this community in a way that makes them sound monolithic.
“One of the most despicable things about comments like those made by Senator Jane Hume … is that it makes people feel that if they get involved in politics, they will be treated with suspicion,” – Gabriel Ng
Ng advocates for an inclusive democracy, emphasizing the need for all voices to be heard. He stated that “what we want is an inclusive, vibrant democracy where everyone feels free to participate, so that the government can best reflect the will of all Australians.”
On a local level, in 2019, Gladys Liu became the first female Chinese Australian Member of Parliament, creating history. She won the seat of Chisholm in Victoria, making history for representation. Although she had done something remarkable, Liu was subjected to an unending barrage of attacks about her ties to Chinese-influenced entities. Retelling her experiences, she explained how these attacks were often more personal attacks on her character than political discussions.
“If I weren’t Chinese, there would’ve been no story to write,” – Gladys Liu
Liu tells us that all such scrutiny is rooted in more profound biases and doubts about loyalty, based on ethnicity. She recounted her own experiences of having her loyalty to Australia questioned during her political career.
Julie-Ann Campbell, whose path was paved by Senator Penny Wong, expresses the same feelings of inclusion and acceptance when it comes to politics. Campbell said she was incredibly proud to know that her daughter will be growing up seeing people who look like her in parliament. As she said, “You can’t be what you can’t see.” This further underscores the essential importance of role models in expanding the horizon of what young people feel is possible.
Overcoming Challenges and Racism
Sam Lim’s story as a Malaysian Chinese immigrant would bring further nuance to the emerging story of representation in Australian politics. Having grown up as the oldest of eight brothers and sisters, Lim approaches issues from an all too real family perspective. On the ground, he uses his fluency in ten languages—including Malay, Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien Chinese and Burmese—to engage constituents in their community and earn their trust.
Touching on his firsthand experiences with anti-Asian racism, Lim looked back on moments from his own academic career when he was asked where he was really from. He Pramuk talked about how these experiences continue to light a fire within him to better serve his constituents.
“Because I am one of them. I know what’s dear to them,” – Sam Lim
His commitment to his community means he pushes all the harder to advocate for policies that best match their needs and concerns. That humility rooted in Lim’s personal experiences guides his approach to politics and helps him connect with voters on a more fundamental human level.
The personal challenges these politicians have faced are not limited to individual failings but are indicative of a systemic societal problem. Liu pointed out that if politicians can be subjected to such ill-informed attacks, ordinary Chinese Australians must not suffer in this way. She stuck to her pledge to continue to denounce prejudicial statements made by other elected leaders.
“Politicians may face baseless attacks, but ordinary Chinese Australians shouldn’t,” – Gladys Liu
These leaders are starting to understand that their job is more than just being a face in the crowd. In doing so, they are steadfast allies for their communities, pushing back against discrimination, prejudice, and bigotry.
A New Era in Representation
The past election been a major breakthrough year for Chinese Australians in elected office. A record six members of Chinese descent now sit in the Federal Parliament, and for the first time ever in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. This increase reflects Australian society’s increasingly positive attitudes to diversity and representation.
Just last year, Sally Sitou garnered headlines by taking back the seat of Reid, in inner-west Sydney, for Labor. This amazing accomplishment hadn’t occurred in more than 10 years! Her remarkable victory illustrates the need for greater representation of marginalized communities, and how diverse voices can help shift the political discourse.
Scott Yung quickly became a burgeoning star in the Liberal party. He almost beat future New South Wales premier Chris Minns on state election for Bennelong. His mayoral run has captured widespread interest within the Chinese community, reflecting a growing hunger for less homogenous leadership in Australian politics.
As these political newcomers carve out their legislative niches, their role is at once full of potential and fraught with peril. Their collective experiences reveal a growing recognition of the need for inclusivity in governance—a principle vital for fostering a representative democracy.
