"Australia remains fully committed to PALM and the opportunities it creates for Fijians to take new work experience and skills home to their communities.”

Now in its sixth year, the celebrations highlight efforts to preserve and promote Punjabi, which has become the fastest-growing language in New Zealand.

"The police had never seen someone coming in and handing over their Aussie passport."

In 2023, about $485,000 was granted to the victim as an ex-gratia payment by the Attorney-General.

“It’s not a reflection on the individual migrants… It’s a reflection on the fact that we have New Zealanders who are desperate for jobs and need to be given the first opportunity.”

Arjun Agarwal, founder of investment startup Inaam, says such policies impose a silent penalty on ambitious founders who are not yet earning large salaries but are driving innovation and job creation.

The festival of lights was marked with colourful cuisine, Bollywood performances, henna painting and student-led activities.

Hosted by the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s (VMC) Multifaith Advisory Group (MAG), the event brought together senior leaders from Victoria’s faith communities to reflect on ways to build a more harmonious and inclusive Victoria.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) said Patel initially ran legitimate businesses but later turned them into fronts for a fraudulent scheme that sold false employment opportunities to visa applicants.

Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt MP, Robert Caulfield, President of the Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria, joined Governor of Victoria Prof. Margaret Gardner AC to present the awards.