Jude Perera, a pioneer in Australian politics and a dedicated community leader, will be honoured at a funeral service on Wednesday, 31 July at 9:30am. The service will take place at Bunurong Memorial Park, Dandenong South, in the Cummulus Stratus Reflection Space, followed by light refreshments. All who wish to celebrate his life are invited to attend.
Perera’s passing on 23 July has deeply affected his family, friends, and the wider community. Manoj Kumar, Labour candidate for Forest Hill in 2018 and a close friend, described Perera as a true people’s representative for the multicultural community in Victoria, always available to listen to their concerns.
Several state MPs, including Lee Tarlamis, Pauline Richards, and Tim Richardson, have paid tribute to Perera. Pauline Richards, the current MP for Cranbourne, highlighted the profound sense of loss within the community and praised Perera as a remarkable individual.
Perera, who made history as the first Sri Lankan-born and educated MP elected to a lower house of parliament in Australia in 2002, served the Cranbourne community with dedication across four terms, retiring in 2018 after a protracted battle with renal disease and two kidney transplants. His life journey from Sri Lanka to Australia exemplifies resilience and a steadfast commitment to public service.
Growing up in Sri Lanka, Perera was deeply influenced by left-wing politics, with his father, Edmund, being a leader in the Marxist party Lanka Sama Samaja. This early influence shaped Perera’s political ideologies. Despite initial struggles in Sri Lankan politics, he emigrated to Australia in search of a better life for his family.
His political career in Australia began with his involvement in the Australian Labor Party (ALP), where his dedication and political insight led to his preselection for the Cranbourne seat by 1998. Throughout his career, Perera made significant contributions while facing considerable challenges.
Perera’s memoir, “Challenging Incomplete Democracy,” released last year, details the obstacles he faced as a Sri Lankan in a predominantly Anglo-Saxon electorate. He candidly shared the scepticism he encountered and the doubts about his ability to represent a majority-white community.
In 2020, Perera was a key witness in the IBAC Operation Sandon inquiry into alleged corruption involving property developers, MPs, and Casey councillors. He admitted to submitting a developer-written proposal for a land zoning change and acknowledged receiving campaign support from developer John Woodman, raising questions about political donations.
Despite these controversies, Perera’s pride in his parliamentary contributions remained evident. He was particularly proud of assisting constituents with immigration and visa issues, often going beyond his duties to aid those seeking to migrate to Australia.
In his later years, Perera’s health further declined, necessitating frequent dialysis treatments after two unsuccessful kidney transplants. He was listed for a third transplant but faced the improbability of receiving one due to his age and complications from previous transplants.
Jude Perera’s life is a testament to his courage and unwavering dedication to his community. His journey from Sri Lanka to the Australian parliament serves as a poignant reminder of the profound impact one committed individual can have on society.
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