This is a list of Asian Australians who have served as members of Australian federal, state, or territory legislatures. Despite Australia's proximity to Asia, as well as the significant and increasing minority of Australians belonging to an Asian ethnicity,[1][2] the Australian Parliament is considered to be particularly under-representative of its constituents of Asian descent in comparison to other Western multicultural democracies[3][4][5] with members of minority groups making up only about 6 percent of Parliament.[6]
The term Asian Australian was first coined in the 1950s by European Australians who sought to strengthen diplomatic and trade ties with Asia. However, the term was not originally used to describe or recognise the experiences of people of Asian descent living in Australia. It was not until the late 1980s and 1990s that the term was adopted and used by Asian Australians themselves to discuss issues related to racial vilification and discrimination. Today, the term is widely accepted and used to refer to people of Asian descent who are citizens or residents of Australia, although its usage and meaning may vary within the Asian Australian community.[7]
When people use the term Asian in everyday conversation, they are usually referring to two main groups: East Asians (including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Mongolian) and Southeast Asians (including Filipinos, Cambodians, Vietnamese, Laotians, Indonesians, Thais, and Singaporeans). Additionally, South Asians (including Indians, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans, Nepalese, and Pakistanis) may also be included.[7]
At censuses prior to 1966 the instructions relating to race were insufficient to enable respondents to classify themselves according to the degree of racial mixture. As one report for the 1966 Census of Population and Housing details:[9]
For example, from 1933 to 1961 persons were asked the following question:
"For persons of European race, wherever born, write "European ". For non-Europeans state the race to which they belong, for example, "Aboriginal", "Chinese", "Negro", "Afghan", etc. If the person is half-caste with one parent of European race, write also "H.C.", for example "H.C. Aboriginal", "H. C. Chinese", etc."
At the 1966 Census the instructions were re-designed... in an endeavour to obtain precise data on racial mixture and also to avoid the opprobrium attaching to the term "half-caste"...
— 1966 Census (1971), "Population: Single Characteristics. Part 11", p. 7
The Australian Bureau of Statistics and Australian Census no longer collect data on race as a standalone category. Instead, they collect information on distinct ancestries, of which census respondents can select up to two. The ABS has classified certain ancestries into categories for the purposes of aggregating data, including:[10]
Ancestry is the primary statistical measure of ethnicity or cultural origins in Australia. The different ancestry groups may have distinct histories, cultures, and geographical origins. Therefore, information on Australians with ancestry from Asia can be found in the respective articles for each separate article (e.g., Chinese Australians, Indian Australians, etc.).
It is important to note that Australians of Middle Eastern ancestries are not classified as part of the Asian category under the ABS's Australian Standard Classification of Cultural and Ethnic Groups (ASCCEG).[10] Instead, they are separately classified under North African and Middle Eastern. This includes Australians of Arab, Turkish and Iranian ancestries. However, Armenians, for example, are classified as Central Asian and therefore part of the Asian category.[11]
First person of Asian heritage to be appointed a state governor in Australia. First person of Vietnamese background to be appointed to a vice-regal position anywhere in the world.
First Indian-born person to hold the position of MLA in the Australian Capital Territory. First MLA to be sworn in on the Bhagwat Gita, representing his Hindu faith.[67]
This section needs expansion with: more Asian Australian councillors, given there are hundreds of local councils in Australia. You can help by adding to it. (January 2023)
^Commonwealth Statistician (1911). "Part VIII: Non-European Races"(PDF). Census Taken for the Night Between the 2nd and 3rd April, 1911 (Report). Australian Bureau of Statistics; Commonwealth of Australia. pp. 899–1073.
^Acting Commonwealth Statistician (August 1971). "Population: Single Characteristics. Part 11: Race"(PDF). 1966 Census of Population and Housing (Report). Vol. 1. Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics; Commonwealth of Australia. pp. 1−31. At the 1966 Census the instructions were re-designed as follows in an endeavour to obtain precise data on racial mixture and also to avoid the opprobrium attaching to the term half-caste: 'State each person's race. For persons of European race, wherever born, write "European". Otherwise state whether Aboriginal, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, etc., as the case may be. If of more than one race give particulars, for example, ½ European–½ Aboriginal; ¾ Aboriginal–¼ Chinese; ½ European–½ Chinese'.
^Heatley, A., "Chan, Harry (1918–1969)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 6 January 2023
^tracyh_45956 (18 November 2020). "Cr Jasmine Nguyen". www.brimbank.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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