Meng Heang Tak
MP
ម៉េងហ៊ាងតាក់
Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Clarinda
Assumed office
19 December 2018
Preceded byHong Lim
Mayor of Greater Dandenong
In office
2015–2016
Preceded bySean O'Reilly
Succeeded byJim Memeti
Member of the Greater Dandenong City Council
In office
October 2012 – 2015
ConstituencyPaperback Ward
Personal details
BornCambodia
NationalityCambodian Australian
Political partyLabor
SpouseManette[1]
ResidenceSpringvale
EducationHeatherhill Secondary College
Alma materVictoria University (BA, LLB)
Occupation
  • Lawyer
  • Broadcaster
  • Politician
Websitehttps://mengheangtak.org.au/

Meng Heang Tak (Khmer: ម៉េងហ៊ាងតាក់) is an Australian politician and former lawyer. He has been a Labor Party member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly since November 2018, representing the seat of Clarinda.

Heang Tak was born in Cambodia and came to Australia at sixteen years old.[2] He completed a double degree in Arts and Laws, Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and Graduate Certificate in Migration Law at Victoria University.[3] Before entering politics, he was a lawyer in Melbourne's south-east and a SBS Radio broadcaster. He was a councillor in the City of Greater Dandenong prior to being elected to Parliament, serving as mayor in 2015–16.[4]

In 2018, Heang Tak won the safe Labor seat of Clarinda[5] and safely retained the seat in 2022.[6] Originally a member of Labor Right, Heang Tak joined Labor Left along with six of his colleagues shortly after the 2022 Victorian state election.[7]

Early life and career

Meng Heang Tak was born in Cambodia, but migrated with his family to Cambodia when he was sixteen years old, arriving in Australia for the first time in Melbourne at Tullamarine airport.[8]

In Australia, he grew up in Springvale, Victoria, as part of a lower socio-economic community.[2] He attended the English Language School at Westall Secondary located in Clayton South, before attending Heatherhill Secondary College in Keysborough.[9] Following this, he completed a double degree in Arts and Laws, Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and Graduate Certificate in Migration Law at Victoria University.[3]

Political career

A month prior to the 2023 Cambodian elections, Heang Tak received an anonymous threat letter, which is currently being investigated by Victoria Police. Despite the threat, he attended a pro-democracy protest in Victoria against Hun Sen.[10] Heang Tak has been an advocate for human rights and democracy in Cambodia.[11]

Personal life

Heang Tak is personally known as 'Heang'. He has two sons and one daughter with his wife, whom they live together in Springvale.[12]

References

  1. ↑ "Meet the new faces on council". Star Journal. 10 January 2013. What would your last meal on earth be? Any meal would be fine so long it would be with my wife, Manette.
  2. 1 2 "Meng Heang Tak, State Member for Clarinda". Meng Heang Tak MP. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  3. 1 2 "CAMBODIAN COMMUNITY – Victorian MP visits Bonnyrigg temple". Liverpool City Champion. 14 June 2019. Heang Tak came to Australia from Cambodia at 16 and studied law at Victoria University.
  4. ↑ "Former Mayors and Councillors". greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au. City of Greater Dandenong.
  5. ↑ "Electorate: Clarinda". ABC News. 24 November 2018.
  6. ↑ "Clarinda – VIC Election 2022". ABC News.
  7. ↑ Ilanbey, Sumeyya; Sakkal, Paul. "Andrews boosts internal grip on power, two ministers in firing line for demotion". The Age. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  8. ↑ "'Me and My family Were Welcomed in Australia' says Labor Candidate Meng Heang Tak". SBS Language. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  9. ↑ "About Meng Heang Tak". Meng Heang Tak MP. 19 February 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  10. ↑ "Gathered around a prop coffin, Cambodian Australians mourn 'death of democracy' in their home country". ABC News. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  11. ↑ "'It's a warning': Labor MP Meng Heang Tak says threats will not stop him campaigning for human rights in Cambodia". ABC listen. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  12. ↑ "Mr Meng Heang Tak MP". Parliament of Victoria.
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