Australia’s strength lies in its diversity - and in the courage to keep it that way

The following is an opinion piece written by SAHMRI Chair Hieu van Le AC which was published in The Advertiser and The New Daily

When I arrived in Australia, I was both surprised and heartened by the remarkable cultural diversity of this country - beginning with the enduring culture of our First Nations people, whose heritage that stretches back more than 60,000 years is the oldest continuous culture in the world.

Multiculturalism was in its early stages, yet you could already feel the world had come to our doorstep. People from every corner of the globe were here. They were encouraged to celebrate and share their unique and vibrant cultures. Unlike many parts of the world, Australians were living together in harmony, enjoying the richness of a multicultural lifestyle.

But diversity and inclusion do not happen by chance - they require commitment and care. We must continue to uphold our values, ensuring that everyone feels respected, that everyone belongs, and that everyone has the opportunity to contribute to the life of our nation.

I remember being a young man, a refugee coming into this land at the age of 23 with just a shirt on my back.

As we approached Darwin Harbour we were so apprehensive and worried, having spent months on overcrowded boats, evading pirates and enduring the fury of rough seas.

From afar, we saw a little boat coming toward us. Getting closer, it turned out to be a tinny with two blokes standing on it. They were dressed with shorts and singlet, sunhats were on, white zinc cream on their noses, fishing rods in the back were sticking into the sky and something that looked like beer cans were in their hands.

As they got closer to our boat, one of them waved at us, raised his stubby and called out “G’day mate … Welcome to Australia.” We were all stunned by the warmth and good nature of their laconic welcome to strangers like us.

Australia should continue to aspire to be one of the most culturally diverse and cohesive nations in the world - a true testament to our democratic values and belief in a fair go for all.

True cultural preservation is not about drawing lines of exclusion, it is about acknowledging the full story of who we are. The story of Australia would not be complete without the voices of those who came from afar and now call this land home.

It is important, I believe, that our national conversation on immigration should always be based on facts, grace and respect. With this as our starting point, we retain the essential elements that make Australia strong.

Diversity should not stop at the dinner table or the community festival. It must be reflected in the boardroom, in politics, and in every place where decisions about our future are made. It is clear that the diversity of experiences and perspectives that people bring to the table creates better outcomes for our community as a whole.

More than half of all Australians were either born overseas or have at least one parent who was born overseas. Around one in five Australians have Asian cultural heritage.

Almost half of all Australians have a parent born overseas and around one in five Australians have Asian cultural heritage.

The Asian Australian Leadership Awards which have honoured me with a Lifetime Achievement Award, shine a light on the many who have pushed beyond the so-called ‘bamboo ceiling’. These individuals who have seized opportunities that Australia makes available to its people remind us that talent and determination know no cultural boundary. Yet their stories also reveal how much work remains to ensure that every Australian, regardless of background, has an equal chance to participate in, and contribute fully to, our shared future.

Everyone should be proud of their cultural heritage, but also be open to others. When we respect our roots and embrace learning from one another, we build bridges - and it is through those bridges we move forward together.

Many families came to this land seeking peace and freedom, they were working tirelessly to build a better future for their families and children. It took courage, sacrifice, and resilience and should be a source of inspiration and strength.

That is how we honour our past and embrace the future with confidence and optimism.

The invitation to write this opinion piece was provided by the Asian-Australian Leadership Awards, which bestowed its Lifetime Achievement Award on Mr Le at its 2025 ceremony.