How one prominent Chinese independent candidate in May election started a shift in Australia Chinese participation in election
There are 1.2 million Chinese in Australia or close to five per cent of the population. And alongside with the Indians, they are also the group with higher number of youths who are working and paying taxes. Australian Chinese are also the biggest land owners contributing to almost of 19 per cent of home ownership.
Yet, there is only one person with Chinese heritage in Federal Parliament and none in the Victoria State Parliament. There are more representations from the Indian, Greek, Italian, Middle East, Malaysia and even African backgrounds.
“The two major parties (Liberal and Labor) have a poor record in supporting candidates with Chinese/Asia culture. They do however love to get donation money and free labour volunteers from the Chinese community,” says one community member on condition of anonymity.
Many Australian Chinese people feel it is high time the community had its own representative in Parliament “fighting for our needs and our rights”.
The Liberal party did put the very first Australian Chinese in Federal Parliament in the 2019 elections. But after three years, not much has changed. “The Chinese community did not see any visible benefits. One reason is that as a member of a party, you have to follow the party direction. If the party direction does not address the needs of the Australia Chinese community, there is not much you can do,” says another community member.
Therefore, they believe a Australian Chinese candidate can offer benefits for the community without waiting for the sympathy or mercy of the major party to nominate a candidate.
Which is why an independent candidate can just focus on the needs of his/her electorate, the community and still get donation and volunteers for the campaign. “The world is not black and white, not every issue can be address by left or right leaning political parties. There are so many issues left out. This is where an independent or minor parties can push to address,” says one Australian Chinese businessman.
He is of the opinion an independent candidate can wield his power to agree major parties to support his/her issues, to push them to include these issues into their political agenda.
You don’t have to win election to advocate change. Change for the better good of your electorate and your community, opine many
During the May 2022 Federal Election, Wayne Tseng ran as an independent candidate for Chisholm, a Chinese district. The battle between Chisholm was between Labor and Liberal parties. As an independent candidate Wayne Tseng says he was able to push major parties to consider his three advocacies:
- To deploy a platform for cultural group to report racism and foreign pressure.
- To deploy a platform to allow citizen to have a greater say in the business of government
- To designate a public holiday to celebrate First Nation People culture.
As a result of the 2022 Federal Election, six independent candidates have been elected to Federal Parliament, and have been able to “force the new Labor government to support issues that we all benefit today”.
In this November 26 Victoria Election, support an independent in your electorate, appeals Wayne.
For Box Hill VOTE 1 for Wayne Tseng. This time, he is advocating for reform in property laws to solve many of the owners and tenant find themselves in today.
Heni C Kwan is running as an Independent Candidate for Werribee District. Heni is a finance consultant by profession and has served customers from all walks of life in Melbourne West. She understand the needs and inspiration of the local community.
Heni believes in freedom of choice and freedom of enterprise. Heni supports climate action, government integrity and measures to cut the cost of living.
As Werribee population grows, Heni will fight to secure urgent needed services. Heni will seek for
- Lower cost public transport
- Increase police presence
- Establish more schools
- Upgrade roads and infrastructure
- More low-cost housing
However, Heni’s heart is in the support for victims of domestic violence. The support for domestic violence victims is central to her campaign platform.
Heni understands that it is a challenge to win the seat. But Heni believes that you don’t have to win to advocate change.
“I will never ask anyone to vote for me so I can do something for you once I am elected like every other politician. I wish to have done something for you, so you can vote for me because the things that I have done for you have changed your life in one way or another,” says Heni.
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How 1⃣ prominent #Chinese independent candidate in May election started a shift in #AustralianChinese participation in #elections. The community felt it was time they had their own representative in #Parliament “fighting for our rights”. #TheIndianSun https://t.co/rngCkQSNse
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