Former Victorian Senator Mehmet Tillem dies following cardiac arrest
Mehmet Tillem, the first Turkish-born member of Australian parliament, has died aged 45 following a cardiac arrest. The former Victorian Senator has been remembered as a shining example of Australian multiculturalism.
VIC News
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Former Victorian Senator Mehmet Tillem has been remembered as a shining example of Australian multiculturalism after he died on Saturday following a cardiac arrest.
The 45-year-old father will be farewelled at a funeral on Sunday.
The former Labor senator moved to Australia from Turkey when he was two.
He was the first Turkish-born member of the Australian parliament when he served in the Senate in 2013 and 2014.
“Mehmet’s time in the parliament was short, but his work and sacrifice for the Labor movement and the Australian public was not,” Labor deputy leader Richard Marles said.
“Mehmet is a dear friend of mine who I will greatly miss.”
“I extend my deepest sympathies to his wife Ferda, son Mikail and his parents Ramazan and Fatma.”
Sad to hear of the passing of Mehmet Tillem, a good and loyal friend and devotee of the Labor movement. pic.twitter.com/QpS5ZklulO
— Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) November 9, 2019
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Senator Penny Wong expressed her sympathies to Mr Tilem’s family.
“Mehmet was a dignified exemplar of our great multicultural community,” she said.
“I deeply appreciated his courtesy and kindness to me.
“My sincere sympathies to his family.”
Mr Tillem held many roles within the party including as the chief of staff for Philip Dalidakis, former Victorian Minister for Trade and Investment.
He was also a ministerial adviser to former Victorian Minister for Sport, Tourism, Major Events and Veterans’ Affairs John Eren.
“His life is emblematic of Australian multiculturalism at its best,” Mr Marles said.
“Mehmet dedicated his life to helping those who needed it most. Loyal, engaging with a wickedly dry sense of humour.”