The Asian Australian Alliance (AAA) is a collective leadership of various sub-communities in the overall Asian communities. AAA brings about developing common issues so that these are effectively collectively represented with all sides of government. Through public forums and round tables, and action projects, the collective leader leadership in AAA develops ongoing policies and makes decisions in regards to these activities and issues. The role of the conveners and their support team is to administrate, manage and facilitate the wishes of the collective leadership by carrying out the decisions of the collective leadership.
Currently, AAA has a presence in New South Wales and Victoria, and is looking to expand. Generally, these are the tasks carried out by the AAA team:
- Communications to third parties on behalf of the AAA communities;
- Submissions, various forms of advocacy and litigation;
- Developing community and grass root projects;
- Advocacy with ALL political parties, mainstream institutions, the media and the community at large on relevant issues.
Erin Wen Ai Chew
National Convener At large
Erin Wen Ai Chew is an entrepreneur, social activist and founder of the Asian Australian Alliance. She is also a freelance writer specialising in issues around whitewashing, media representation and racism. Erin was a former co- editor of YOMYOMF ( You Offend Me, You Offend My Family) and runs a podcast called Offended AF (Asian Feminists).
Email me: info@asianaustralianalliance.net
Molina Swarup Asthana
Victorian State Convener
Molina Swarup Asthana is the Principal lawyer at Swarup Asthana Lawyers and Business Advisors. She is the first Indian born Australian on the Board of the Law Institute of Victoria and is also the President of the International Law Association Victorian Chapter, National Vice President of the Asian Australian Lawyer’s Association, and the Chair of the Women in Business Chapter of the Australia India Business Council.
Email me: info@asianaustralianalliance.net
Benjamin Oh
National AAuRA Convener
Benjamin Oh has worked with the global LGBTIQ network over a number of years serving in a number of positions including as Secretary and Board Member of the Global Network of Rainbow Catholics, the Chair of the GLBTIQ Intercultural and Interfaith Network and as a Management Committee Member if the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby.
Email me: info@asianaustralianalliance.net
Rachel Cecilio
Victorian AAuRA Convener
Rachel Cecilio has over a decade of experience working alongside migrant, refugee and LGBTIQ communities as a social worker, facilitator and advocate. Her lived experience as a Filipino Australian has grounded her work with communities and established her to drive towards equality, equity and inclusion for all LGBTIQ Asian Australians.
Email me:info@asianaustralianalliance.net
Peter Chuang
Victorian AauRA Convener
Peter Chuang has a passion for issues relevant to Asian Australians and the Asian Australian LGBTIQ community. Dentist by day, Peter is a committee member of the Australian Dental Association’s Oral Health Committee and has worked in Asia as a volunteer dentist. Peter is an organiser and a passionate advocate for change.
Email me: info@asianaustralianalliance.net
Janeca Carranza
Victorian AAAWF Convener
Janeca is a lawyer and focuses on the areas of public policy. She has 15 years working in multinational private companies and the public sector. Janeca has a passion for women’s issues and fighting for progressive women’s rights. Her work is all about fostering a genuinely diverse and inclusive society, and her passion for the Asian Australian community shows in the work she does.
Email me: info@asianaustralianalliance.net
Dr Yeow – Tong Chia
National MAAA Convener
Yeow-Tong is currently a Senior Lecturer in the Sydney School of Education and Social Work at the University of Sydney. He has a PhD from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Canada. His first book published in 2015 examined education and state formation in Singapore from 1955 to 2004 through civics and history education. Yeow-Tong graduated from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Arts degree with honours in history. He also holds a Masters in Education Management from the University of Western Australia.
Email me: info@asianaustralianalliance.net
Susan Joo
New South Wales AAA Convener
Susan Joo measures the success of humanity through social justice. That embodies all traits of compassion, empathy and dignity which are important to cultivate, and also project and uphold in the world. In empowering Asian Australians, she also believes that the community must stand in solidarity with all marginalised groups, whom have endured all forms of discrimination for far too long.
Email me: info@asianaustralianalliance.net
Kingsley Liu
Honorary National AAA Advisor
Kingsley Liu has run his own civil litigation law firm “The People’s Solicitors” since 2006. He is currently the National President of the Asian Australian Lawyers Association that promotes cultural diversity in the legal industry. Kingsley also ran for the seat of Mulgoa in 2015 NSW State elections, seat of Lindsay in the Federal 2016 elections, seats of Blue Mountains & Macquarie in 2019 NSW State elections and 2019 Federal elections. Kingsley also co-founded AAA back in 2013.
Email me: info@asianaustralianalliance.net
Daphne Lowe-Kelley
Honorary National AAA Advisor
Daphne is a stalwart within the Chinese Australian community and has served on many Chinese Australian community groups and organisations such as the Chinese Community Council of Australia and ACCA. Daphne has worked over a decade in spreading awareness of Chinese Australian history and founded the Chinese Heritage Association of Australia. She serves on the committee for the Chinese Historical Society of Australia and had lead many campaigns saving the Chinese market gardens in la Perouse and recently on having a Chinese Australian Museum in Sydney, which recently opened.
Email me: info@asianaustralianalliance.net