MELBOURNE, 28 June, 2025: It was about an year back Jude Perera MP, Sri Lankan origin, and Australian politician of the Australian Labour Party was no more. Friends, family, Labour MPs and many from the community gathered at the Banksia Theatre, Keysborough Secondary College, to remember him and pay homage to him for his contributions and doings for the community.
The gathering was nostalgic as well as a reflection on the legacy which Jude Perera left for the people, including those of Sri Lankan and Indian community, and anyone else. His garlanded photograph with flowers and candles reflected a sign of hope in a rather troubled world plagued by unending issues. Some of these later taken up by Donald Betts, in ‘Challenging The Incomplete Democracy’ at today’s inaugural Jude Perera Memorial Lecture, organised by the Australia South Asia Society (ASAS) with the main oration by Donald Betts, Former member of the Kansas House of Representatives, USA, a close friend.
Others who spoke were Dr.Noel Nadesan, President ASAS, Jude’s daughter Judy Gamage , Alan Griffin , Former Labour MP, Pauline Richards MP, Cranbourne, Lee Termalis MP, South Eastern Upper House MP, and his friend Hemanta.
Jude’s daughter traced his life span from Sri Lanka when he migrated here and the later as the Cranbourne MP of the Labour Party for four terms, a rare distinction for an MP in Victoria. The attending former and current Labour MPs praised their former colleagues commitment to his electorate and the community. His legacy, all said, is the one we stand in.
Jude Perera (27 May 1953 – 23 July 2024) was an Australian politician who served as a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly from 2002 to 2018, representing the seat of Cranbourne for the Australian Labor Party. Born in Sri Lanka, he was the first Sri Lankan-born and educated MP elected to a lower house of Parliament in Australia.
Perera held a Bachelor of Science from the University of Jaffna and worked as a market researcher and in information technology roles in Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Australia before entering politics. He served on the Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee (2003–2006), chaired the Family and Community Development Committee (2007–2010), and was Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs (2011–2014).
Known for his advocacy for multicultural communities and infrastructure projects in Cranbourne, Perera retired in 2018 after four terms, following health challenges, including renal disease and two kidney transplants. He authored a memoir, Challenging Incomplete Democracy, reflecting on his political journey and challenges as a Sri Lankan migrant in a predominantly Anglo-Saxon electorate. Perera passed away at age 71, leaving a legacy of resilience and public service.
*Neeraj Nanda is a senior journalist, founder Editor of the Melbourne-based South Asia Times (SAT).
