By Julian Leeser MP
One of the things of which I’m proudest in my nine years in Parliament is the friendship I have developed with the Australian Indian community.
I have been the co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of India since 2016, when I was first elected as the Member for Berowra.
Every day in that role has been a privilege.
India is the great hope for democracy in our region. It is the world’s largest democracy with a commitment to the rule of law and individual freedom that is a beacon for other countries to follow. Our shared traditions and values and interests underpin the relationship.
Speaking as a local member, I adore my Indian community, part of a 1 million strong Indian Australian diaspora.
Everywhere I go across my electorate, I see Indian Australians serving on P&C committees and sporting clubs, the RFS and SES, organising community events, and running businesses of every conceivable size.
The Indian community is law abiding, civic-minded and unfailingly committed to the wellbeing of our country. They put service before self. We as a nation are lucky to have been enriched by their decision to become part of our nation.
In my community of Berowra, I campaigned side by side with the Indian community to establish a memorial to those Australians of Indian origin who served in AIF in the First World War.
These are individuals who fought against racist barriers to join the Australian Imperial Force, in the service of the country they love. Some of them made the supreme sacrifice. Their service should be honoured and remembered.
The love I have for the Indian community is shared by my friends and colleagues across the Liberal party.
It was the Morrison Coalition Government that signed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Australia. It was the same Coalition government that signed the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement with India in 2022. It was the Coalition that revived the Quad. These are partnerships that have brought our nations closer and enriched both sides. But they are part of a broader pattern, because it was the Coalition government that championed a complete step-up across the board in Australia’s relationship with India.
These are achievements that I am proud of as a Liberal.
For me, supporting the Australian Indian community is in my DNA – and it is in my DNA because I am a Liberal. Liberal philosophy emphasises treating the individual with dignity and respect – regardless of their background or origin. It emphasises opportunity, plurality, freedom of religion, prizes the character and quality of the individual and celebrates individual success.
Sussan Ley has often spoken about the modern Liberal Party, and when she does I think of my own background. I have often pointed out that I am Jewish, educated in an Anglican School, who worked at a Catholic University and whose best friend is a Muslim. I have been a passionate supporter of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and I am proud to represent some of the largest Persian, Chinese and Indian communities in Australia.
These are things that are possible because I am a Liberal, because our political philosophy supports individuals regardless of colour or creed, because we value family, hard work, success and love for our country.
And when I speak to Australian Indian communities across Sydney, I see those same values reflected at me. I see people who value family, hard work, success, individual freedom and service to our community and our country. This is something that brings us all together and deserves to be celebrated. It’s why I will always stand with our Indian Australian community.
Contributing Author: Julian Leeser MP is the Shadow Attorney-General, Shadow Minister for the Arts, and Federal Member for Berowra.
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