Thursday, 15 August 2024

 Sonya KILKENNY (Carrum – Minister for Planning, Minister for the Suburbs) (09:53): Today I pay tribute to a very special person: Jude Perera, a dear, kind friend and colleague. Jude was elected to the Victorian Parliament in 2002, representing the seat of Cranbourne in Melbourne’s beautiful south-east as a member of the Australian Labor Party. He went on to win his seat three more times before retiring from Parliament in 2018 after a long health battle. Jude passed away on 23 July 2024.

Jude’s story and indeed Jude’s legacy is one of courage, service and an untiring and resolute commitment to his community and his values. His softly spoken demeanour masked extraordinary strength, political insight and resilience – so much resilience and perseverance. His loss is felt deeply, particularly within the Sri Lankan community. Jude was the first person born and educated on the Indian subcontinent to have been elected to a lower house anywhere in Australia, but Jude’s support base was so broad, his recognition in the electorate immense.

Jude joined the Australian Labor Party and entered politics because he could not stand by and watch Victoria be drawn backwards by conservative forces that would strip the rights of working men and women. In his recent memoir Jude detailed a personal and political odyssey from Sri Lanka to Melbourne, Australia. Central to his values was a vision of a just, sustainable and viable economy to foster harmony, economic democracy and social equity. His views were complex, his vision clear: strive for fairness, equity, harmony and solidarity.

My deepest condolences to his loving wife Ira, his two children Judy and Rangana and their families, and his grandchildren.