She was first elected to the Senate in 2001 and has been re-elected four times - in 2007, 2013, 2016 and 2022.

With the election of the Rudd Government in 2007, she was appointed Minister for Climate Change and Water. In this role she led major reforms to expand renewable energy and improve rural and urban water security, as leading Australia’s international climate negotiations.

Senator Wong was appointed Minister for Finance in 2010, helping deliver three Budgets in the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis.

Since 2013, Senator Wong has been the Leader of Australian Labor in the Senate – and is the first woman to lead the Government in the Senate.

On the election of the Albanese Government in 2022, Senator Wong was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs, after holding the portfolio in opposition for the previous six years.

As Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong is rebuilding Australia’s reputation as a trusted partner of choice for the countries of the region - and returning diplomacy to the centre of Australia’s international policy. With more coordinated statecraft, her focus is making Australia stronger and more influential in the world, and better able to contribute to the region’s stability and prosperity.

In 2021, she was named as the overall winner of the 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian-Australian Award.

In the past few years of the pandemic, she has been writing, including Alice Pung's book Laurinda which was co-adapted and world premiered at Melbourne Theatre Company in August 2022. She is currently writing Phi and Me Too (8x22minutes) TV show with Screen Australian development funding and produced by Northern Pictures. (Love on the Spectrum Netflix). She is the co-creator and executive producer of #PhiandMeTV, the first ever Vietnamese Australian family comedy series released 16 June 2019.

She has appeared on The Project, ABC Q&A in 2012, Fox Footy and Friday Front Bar as guest panellist. Since going back to school in 2016, she now works creatively full time, and has toured and performed shows all over Australia, Orange County/USA and Edinburgh/Scotland.

Arts, Culture, Education

The Arts, Culture, and Education category is for individuals who have made a significant impact in Southeast Asia-Australia relations in literature, academia, creative arts, design, music, dance, food or cultural heritage, or other creative pursuits through promoting cultural awareness or empowering change in the region.

Business

The Business category seeks to honour leaders in business engagement, innovation and entrepreneurship in creating positive impact on Southeast Asia-Australia, through success in business or trade, raising cultural awareness, promoting diversity, people to people links, or positively impacting the community.

Community Advocacy

The Community Advocacy category is to honour community development work, where individuals have played a vital role in changing and enhancing the lives and wellbeing of residents, through their work as a servant leader in advocacy, policy, health, development, government, volunteering or other fields.

Gen A Leader

The Gen A Leader category draws upon Asia Society Australia’s strategic pillar, Generation Asia, for empowering the next generation of Asia-engaged leaders. This category seeks to honour young leaders between the ages of 18-35 who have made significant contributions in the sphere of Southeast Asia-Australia affairs.

What are the assessment criteria for nominees?

• Outstanding individuals who are making a positive difference in Australia’s relationship with Southeast Asia and/or the Southeast Asian-Australian community and demonstrate a strong track record in the fields of arts, culture, education, business, community advocacy, and youth leadership (refer to category specific descriptions).
• Individuals who have significantly contributed to prioritising Southeast Asia-Australia relations through their work; either directly impacting the region or the relationship, or coming from a Southeast Asian background and contributing to building a relationship with Australia in their field.
• Individuals who support and embody Asia Society Australia’s mission to prepare Australians for deeper engagement with a more complex Asia and who have a deep understanding of Asia’s place in a changing world order.
• Recognised by peers and public alike as an expert in their field.
• Individuals who represent Asia Society Australia values of excellence, diversity and inclusion, respect, and integrity.

What are the eligibility criteria?

To be eligible for an award, nominees must:

• Be individuals. Organizations cannot be nominated; however, organizations can nominate an individual member from their network.
• Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or reside in Australia.
• Be available to attend the gala dinner in Melbourne at the end of the year. Awardees are required to receive the award in person.
• Adhere to the rules and regulations set forth by the awarding organization (Asia Society Australia).
• Have a proven track record or demonstrate exceptional skills, talent, or achievements in the relevant field.
• Nominations are open to all individuals regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, and cultural background.
• Nominees in the Gen A category must meet the age criteria of 18-35 years as defined by Gen A.

Does the nominee need to be based in Melbourne?

No. The nomination campaign is open nationally across Australia and the region. However, should the nominee be shortlisted, they should be available to attend the awards night in Melbourne in December.

The Melbourne Asia Game Changer Awards are based in Melbourne partnered with the Victoria State Government but seeks to honour Game Changers across the region.

Can I self-nominate?

Yes. You have the option of nominating yourself. In the nomination form, select the option of self-nomination if you do not have a nominator.

What is the selection process?

Asia Society Australia will form independent selection committees who will carefully evaluate each candidate in selecting the 2023 Game Changers for each category.

The committees will showcase diversity and comprise of leaders, dignitaries, and subject-matter experts for the relevant nomination fields.

When will I know if I have been successful?

Selection process begins in late-September. Shortlisted nominees will be contacted around late-October through email.

Which countries are part of Southeast Asia?

Southeast Asia is composed of eleven countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.