Hieu Van Le ready to take on governor's role
Hieu Van Le says his inauguration as the world’s first boat person to Vice Regal Office is a tribute to all migrants and refugees who’ve contributed to Australia’s rich cultural fabric.
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Mr Le fled the Vietnam war in 1977 and survived a perilous boat journey plagued by pirates, an erupting volcano and the privations of a Malaysian refugee camp to eventually reach Australia.
Mr Le says his childhood experience of war has made him an advocate for peace. He says the ongoing bloodshed in the Middle East and elsewhere is distressing.
“It’s quite a worrying sign and I think that is something that we’ve never learned, have we, the lessons of the destruction, the devastation of the whole of mankind because of war – and yet we’re still having that today; I’m quite frustrated by that.”
His Excellency says he intends to continue his predecessor Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce’s commitment to Aboriginal issues, as well as being a champion for youth.
“I would like to be an active contributor to the Aboriginal reconciliation process, whatever I can do within the framework of Vice Regal (office)."
"But I’m very particularly interested in the youth employment, youth mental health and suicide. That is something I am really passionate about.”
Mr Le has diplomatically avoided the politically charged arena of Australia’s asylum policies, saying only that “I think my story will say a thousand words - hopefully that will say something about that issue.”
