The passing of Jude Perera was announced with deep sadness by his family on 23 July. Described as the family’s rock, Perera was a pioneer in Australian politics, being the first Sri Lankan-born and educated MP elected to a lower house of parliament in Australia in 2002. He served the Cranbourne community with dedication across four terms, retiring in 2018 after a long battle with renal disease and enduring two kidney transplants.
Several current state MPs, including Lee Tarlamis, Pauline Richards, and Tim Richardson, paid tribute to Perera. Pauline Richards, the current MP for Cranbourne, expressed her condolences, emphasising the loss felt by the community and lauding Perera as a great man.
Jude Perera’s journey from Sri Lanka to Australia is a testament to his resilience and commitment to public service. Growing up in Sri Lanka, Perera was deeply influenced by left-wing politics in a turbulent era. His father, Edmund, a coconut plantation manager, was a prominent leader in the Marxist party Lanka Sama Samaja, frequently hosting political meetings at their home.
Perera initially dabbled in politics in Sri Lanka but found it challenging to make ends meet. Seeking a better life, he emigrated to Australia with his wife Iranganie and their two young children. In Australia, he joined the Australian Labor Party (ALP) as a response to the policies of the Kennett Government. By 1998, his political acumen had garnered him local support, leading to his preselection for the seat of Cranbourne.
In his memoir released last year, Perera reflected on the challenges he faced as a Sri Lankan in a predominantly Anglo-Saxon electorate. He recounted the scepticism he encountered and the questions about how a dark-skinned Asian migrant could be chosen to represent a majority-white community.
Perera’s career was marked by significant contributions and challenges. His memoir, “Challenging Incomplete Democracy,” delves into his political philosophies and recounts notable events, such as being dismissed by then-Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews as opposition parliamentary secretary after missing a crucial vote due to illness. This incident, coupled with his ongoing health issues, led him to consider retirement.
In 2020, Perera was a witness in the IBAC Operation Sandon inquiry into alleged corrupt dealings between property developers, MPs, and Casey councillors. He admitted that his submission favouring a land zoning change in Cranbourne West was essentially written by a developer’s consultant. The inquiry also revealed that Perera had received financial support from developer John Woodman for his election campaign, raising questions about political donations and their influence.
Despite these controversies, Perera was proud of his contributions as an MP. He particularly valued the assistance he provided to constituents facing immigration and visa issues, often going beyond the call of duty to help them migrate to Australia.
In recent years, Perera’s health had deteriorated, with two failed kidney transplants necessitating thrice-weekly dialysis treatments. He was listed for a third transplant but acknowledged the improbability of receiving it due to his age and complications from previous transplants.
Jude Perera’s legacy is one of courage, service, and an unwavering commitment to his community. His life’s journey from Sri Lanka to the halls of Australian parliament is a poignant reminder of the impact one dedicated individual can have.
Former Ministerial Adviser and Aussie Expat Mr. Nitin Gupta expressed his condolences, emphasising the loss felt by the community and lauding Perera as a good man. Nitin commented “Multicultural Affairs being a bipartisan portfolio in Victoria, I must have done hundred plus multicultural events, that were also attended by Mr. Jude Perera. I have also briefly lived in Cranbourne, Jude was my local member of Parliament as well for some time. Despite the fact that we were from other side of politics, Jude was very warm and receptive whenever we met. He was very respectful whenever he met my father, and my other family members. He also supported few of my multicultural initiatives and policies. I think it’s a huge loss for Victoria’s multicultural communities, and for Cranbourne as well.”
A speech by Jude on The Indian Sun TV:
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