Trung Luu: From Police to Parliament Representation, Education & Integrity in Leadership | Bridged By Words
If you’re asking how a community-minded professional can transition from policing into politics—and keep their integrity—this episode answers it. Victorian Upper House MP Trung Luu (first Liberal MP of Vietnamese descent in Victoria) explains how 28 years in Victoria Police, army reserve service, and local council prepared him to legislate with real-world judgment. He shares why representation matters—especially for multicultural communities—and how lived experience shapes better decisions on crime, community safety, and public policy.
You’ll also hear the origin of his VCE/Regional Academic Inspiration Awards: a program that recognizes persistence and character, not just top scores, timed deliberately before exams to lift students that extra 1–2%. Luu talks candidly about internal party dynamics, time pressures of serving a vast region, and the values that anchor him—integrity, plain speaking, and follow-through—plus the simple rule he gives young leaders: don’t give up.
Bridged By Words is the podcast where aspiring leaders connect with experienced politicians, gaining the lessons and inspiration they need for their own path. Watch full interviews on YouTube or listen on Spotify.
What You’ll Learn:
How frontline service (police, army reserve, council) translates into effective political leadership
Why representation in parliament matters for multicultural communities—and how to build it
A practical model for youth engagement: pre-exam recognition that boosts student performance
How to navigate party politics while protecting your integrity and keeping promises
