Early in my political staffing career, I had the privilege of working for Victor Dominello. Victor's tenure saw a transformation of digital services in New South Wales, which not only gained widespread recognition but also positioned the state as a global leader. Particularly remarkable was his leadership during the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
What always struck me about Victor’s approach was his unwavering focus on policy over politics. An example that resonates strongly with me is a speech he delivered in Parliament, in which he addressed the painful issue of racism:
“When we are young, we are idealistic; we think in absolutes. As we age and as we bear the struggles of our human journey, we realise that life is increasingly more grey than it is black and white. However, there are some absolutes that we must carry with us throughout our collective journey. The deepest scars of humanity were caused by the blade of racism."
In the full speech, Victor talks about historical instances of racism causing deep and lasting wounds, such as the Holocaust during World War II, the Cambodian genocide under the Khmer Rouge regime, and religious troubles in Northern Ireland. He also touched upon more recent conflicts in Egypt, Iraq, Sudan, and Nigeria, highlighting that while politics and power struggles might be at the core of these conflicts, it is the "ugly face of racism and discrimination" that is often used by those in power to manipulate the masses.
Victor pointed out that despite racially motivated incidents happening in Australia, such incidents are rare and random. And when they do occur, our sense of community propels us to stand united in condemning them. This unity and collective response, he argued, is a true measure of the strength of our society.
Victor's speech and his broader work in public service serve as a testament to his unwavering commitment to policy over politics, and a reminder to us all about the power of speaking out against racism and advocating for unity and understanding.