Fighting for all Victorians.

Biography.

Senator David Van is an Independent Senator for Victoria. Elected to the Senate in 2019.

During his time in the Senate, David has spoken in Chambers extensively on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, Energy and the Environment. He is a vocal advocate on gender issues, Australia-Ukraine ties and small business.

He writes and speaks often on the current geo-political environment and is actively engaged in strengthening bilateral relations with our near neighbours in the Indo-Pacific. He holds a Master of International Relations degree from Monash University and is undertaking a Master of Strategy and Security degree at UNSW at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA).

He is an expert on international relations having served on several committees, including the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT), where he held the position of deputy chair of the Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub Committee, as well as being a member of the Defence Subcommittee. These committee roles have put Senator Van at the forefront of Australia’s global role and the challenges it confronts.

In his previous role as Vice-Chair of the Australian Parliamentary Friendship groups of Brazil, Mexico, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Spain and the Pacific Islands, Senator Van fostered strong and mutually beneficial bilateral relations with friends and allies worldwide.

Prior to being elected to the Senate in 2019, David ran a public affairs consultancy for 15 years advising clients through four Royal Commissions and various other inquiries including NSW ICAC as well as commercial litigation.

Born and raised in Melbourne’s bayside suburbs, David is a passionate Collingwood Football Club member and loves being in the great outdoors as evidenced in his years as a Ski Instructor post-Uni. David can often be found outside on the weekends diving, sailing, mountain and road cycling and of course skiing whenever possible.

First Speech.

Tuesday 10 September 2019, Parliament House

Mr President and fellow senators, I rise to celebrate my predecessors and colleagues by echoing all who have risen in this chamber to give their first speech, and say it is an honour to be elected to the Senate and to the 46th Parliament. My favourite saying in politics has always been 'the world is run by those who stand up'. So I can say that, after deciding it was my time to stand up for what I believe in, I'm thrilled to now stand in this place—an honour that I will not take for granted.

My aim today is to share a little bit about my background, but only a little, because I'd prefer to focus on what I see is a great challenge before us in this place, and that is to defend democracy. I see this as a challenge with five fundamental arguments underlining it. Firstly, democracy works. Although it does not entitle individuals to everything they want, it does entitle everyone to a voice. Secondly, governing is not easy. It is about making choices—some harder than others, but all to improve the lives of Australians. Thirdly, countries work better when people run their own lives. This means creating opportunities for all Australians, not telling them how to live their lives. Next is the concept that happy lives are based on the love of family and the dignity of work. Finally, good government means pragmatic decisions based on values.