Senator David Van
Victorian senator of the Australian Parliament
澳大利亚维多利亚州参议员

Senator David Van was born and raised in Melbourne’s bayside suburbs.  Van was elected as a Victorian senator for a six-year term in the Australian Parliament in 2019 representing the centre-right Liberal Party.   

Prior to his election, Senator Van ran his own business specialising in crisis management.  His unique approach to solving reputational problems meant his skills were in demand in Australia and internationally, including Malaysia.   

“Australians and Malaysians share many values and this leads to better outcomes when working together.  I would like to work closely with Malaysia on areas of mutual interest and, where possible, bring Malaysian innovation and investment to Victoria.” 

Senator Van has been a long-time supporter of Victoria’s diverse and multi-cultural demography.  Since his election to the Senate, this experienced and well-liked politician used his position to try and bring the many communities together in Melbourne by regularly hosting consular round tables, ensuring all voices are heard.   

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Senator Van called out on the racism facing international students in Australia.  In a letter to The Star he wrote, “It is unacceptable that anyone should have to put up with such cowardly and reprehensible racist behaviour.  It is utterly un-Australian and is condemned by all Australians.  Every person in Australia – whether they arrived here recently, or their families have walked these lands since time immemorial – should never face aggressive acts based on their heritage.”  

Senator Van also believes strongly that the best way to improve people’s lives is to give them the ‘dignity of work’ in secure, well-paid and safe jobs. A champion for small businesses, this dapper individual has a passion for helping them overcome many hurdles. “Small businesses are the engine room of the Australian economy and enabling them to thrive with lower taxes, less red tape and more opportunity is the best way to give more Australians a secure future.”

He enjoys a wide range of outdoor activities, especially diving and has dived in some of Malaysia’s best dive spots. 

David Van参议员出生和成长在墨尔本的海湾郊区。身为右派的自由党代表，自2019年开始，他当选为维多利亚州的参议员，并且在澳大利亚议会展开了6年的任期。  

在作为参议员前，David Van创立经营一家专门从事危机管理的公司。而解决信誉问题的独特方式也让他的技能在澳大利亚和国际上的获得热烈需求，其中包括在马来西亚。 

“我发现澳大利亚人和马来西亚人有许多趋同的价值观，双方的合作将产生最佳效益。我愿意与马来西亚在感兴趣的共同区域密切合作，并在可能的情况下，将马来西亚的创新和投资带到维多利亚。”

David Van一直以来都是维多利亚多样和多元文化构成的拥护者。他自当选参议员以来，试图运用本身职务之力将墨尔本众多社区联系在一起，定期举办领事圆桌会议，确保维多利亚社群的声音被聆听。  

在COVID-19大流行病期间，他也以参议员的身份呼吁关注在澳大利亚的国际学生面临种族歧视的现象。David在给《星报》的一封信中说:“任何人都无法容忍这种懦弱和应当受到谴责的种族歧视行为。这完全不是澳大利亚的风格，理应被每个澳大利亚人唾弃。在澳大利亚的每一个人，无论是近期抵达，或是他们的家人自古就在这片土地上生活，绝不该因本身传统而遭受类似侵略行为。”

他也坚信，改善人们生活的最好办法是提供一份有保障、报酬优厚、安全的工作，让他们有工作的尊严。他热心协助小型企业克服种种困难,“小型企业是澳大利亚经济的引擎室，使他们能够以较低的税收，减少繁文缛节和获得更多机会，这是给与更多澳大利亚人一个安全未来的最佳方式。”

另外，David Van爱好各种户外活动，尤其是潜水，他曾在马来西亚一些最好的潜水景点体验。