By Ishita Sethi
My father made an observation recently that has stayed with me: “We have been Australian for over 35 years, but now we’re made to feel like we’re not real Australians.” His words weren’t born of bitterness, but of bewilderment – how did we arrive at a place where contribution counts for less than origin?
He came to Australia in the 1980s through the skilled migration program, invited by a
government that recognised talent over birthplace. He never felt entitled to anything. He was excited by the opportunity to help build a nation and a life for himself and his young family, which he did, like many others, through hard work and democratic participation. Australia’s enduring strength lies not in the lottery of birth but in our shared commitment to democratic principles.
The Westminster traditions that form our constitutional backbone create space for every Australian to participate fully in our national conversation, regardless of where their story began. This isn’t an abstract concept, it’s the lived reality that allowed families like mine to build lives here, judged by character and contribution, not ancestry or accent.
Yet recent political theatre threatens to obscure these fundamental truths. The politics of division misses what makes Australia genuinely exceptional: our capacity to unite diverse peoples around shared values while maintaining our distinctive national culture and character.
Consider the irony: many Australians of Indian heritage hold views that align naturally with traditional conservative principles. They understand the importance of family stability, educational achievement, religious tolerance, social tolerance and economic opportunity.
These aren’t foreign imports – they’re fair dinkum Australian values, refined through the
experience of those who chose this country and were chosen by it in return. When those seeking political advantage choose to demonise newer migrants, they undermine the very foundations that make Australia worth defending.
What Australia needs isn’t the politics of exclusion but the confidence to articulate what we stand for: merit over background, contribution over connection, democratic participation over tribal affiliation.
Indian Australians should be equally strategic in their political choices. Rather than settling for shallow recognition based on race, they should demand parties that genuinely align with their values and acknowledge their immense merit and contribution.
The challenge isn’t changing who they are but finding political leadership with the courage to embrace what they represent. Many look to a political party for leadership. The question is, what do they see when a political party looks back at them?
Contributing author: Ishita Sethi is a Sydney-based barrister who channels her legal expertise and strategic vision into advancing the rule of law and improving outcomes for her clients and community.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the author’s personal opinions. The Australia Today is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information in this article. The information, facts, or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of The Australia Today, and The Australia Today News does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
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