Indian links in the

Ethnic candidates share their personal and party policies to garner support from compatriots

ethnicity, keeping in mind that I do have an English mother and am therefore of mixed cultural background,” Joy says.

BY USHA RAMANUJAM ARVIND

As the Federal Elections loom and we are inundated with all kinds of literature supporting the local candidates, it wouldn’t be amiss to wonder when the Asian subcontinent community can expect at least some level of ethnic representation within the corridors of power. So here are the candidates who will stand for election to help realise their hopes for a better Australia.

Representing equality and diversity

JOY BANERJI

ALP, Menzies (Victoria)

Contesting against former Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews (who gained notoriety in botched Mohammad Hanif case) for the safe Victorian seat of Menzies is Labor’s Joyoti (Joy) Banerji.

Born in New Delhi and raised in Adelaide, Monash Councillor Joy is no newcomer to politics, having twice been Mayor of the multicultural region. This mother of three has lived all over Australia before finding her dreams and true calling in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

Back in the early ‘70s, Joy’s father was the first foreign doctor to migrate and work in Point Pirie in South Australia. Politics was always entrenched in my life, Joy explains. “My parents took a great interest in political discussions and had a great deal of knowledge on the subject.”

She quit a promising career in banking to pursue community development and eventually, local government. Joy is currently qualifying in the area of dispute resolution, mediation and advocacy.

With a strong belief in the ideals of fairness and equity which she holds as the bedrock of Labor philosophy, Joy became a grassroots member in 2002 and is currently serving her third term as Councillor.

The world of politics, of course, is full of obstacles and often difficult to negotiate, she confesses. “But I have never ever doubted my beliefs and I stay true to myself. It is always ‘do as I do’ and not ‘do as I say’. I have tried to practice that philosophy with my children too,” she reveals.

An advocate of active and meaningful lifestyle choices, she is passionate about public health and public education. “In Menzies there is an ageing population, and health and aged care is a growing issue. Other health issues such as diabetes and mental health are also a pressing concern in the community. I would put these at the top of my list of priorities,” she says.

Likewise, Joy is also committed to addressing the needs of the culturally diverse demographics in the region.

“The newly emerging ethnic and linguistic minorities need strong representation. Many migrant communities have very different needs and it is important to be engaged continually and positively with them, assess what they are thinking and how governments can assist,” she says.

“And as a candidate in Menzies, I am determined to demonstrate what representation is all about. I enjoy mixing and talking to people from diverse backgrounds. I believe that representation is about a strong involvement in the community across a wide spectrum of groups and individuals,” says Joy confidently.

The City of Monash, she proudly declares, has more Indian born and Chinese born people than any other municipality in Victoria. Monash has also had some of the highest levels of skilled migration settlement in the country. The Chinese and Indian communities are making a significant contribution to the social and economic fabric of society.

What about her own journey as an Indian Australian policymaker in the public arena?

“I have never experienced any disadvantage due to my

Joy is thankful that in Australia, and particularly in Victoria, they are very fortunate not to have any major issues with regards to cultural and religious differences. “However there are always exceptions, but that does not reflect the views of the general population,” she is quick to point out.

“More recently the promotion of privately run colleges to attract international students has been surrounded by controversy. Universities are also increasingly dependent on international students as a source of revenue for tertiary institutions,” she admits.

A huge fan of Environment Minister Penny Wong, Joy faithfully subscribes to the new Labor policy of a sustainable Australia.

“Over the last 40 years our population has had a quantum jump and we know that it is growing in very specific areas, the liveable areas, which are limited in Australia. There must therefore, be a clearer vision of what is sustainable and how best to achieve it. We need to protect our finite energy resources and look towards alternative sources of renewable energy, sooner rather than later,” she says vehemently.

Refusing to be drawn into specifics like the Visa Capping Bill and uranium sale to India, Councillor Banerji however did comment that our “uranium exports should not be used for non-peaceful purposes.”

With the battle lines now drawn out, Joy Banerji needs a 6% swing to wrest the seat of Menzies.

Promoting humanitarian issues BRAMI JEGAN

Greens, (Senate seat)

“I have always grown up aware that there are people in the world less fortunate than myself. But it was not until I went to Sri Lanka at the age of 22, that I saw personal suffering first hand, along with the effects of discrimination and the tragedy of war,” says Tamil Australian Brami Jegan.

The plight of refugees worldwide has stirred the former banker and now journalist. And she hopes to further this cause by contesting the 2010 Federal Elections through a Greens Senate ticket.

But the 30-year-old is no newcomer to activism. “Over the past years I have been advocating for various issues animals rights, fair trading, reducing poverty, rights of the Tamils in Sri Lanka and now the issue of asylum seekers in Australia. Entering politics with the Greens is the next step in my journey to try and work out how to make this world more humane, safer and peaceful,” she states.

Her journey back to Sri Lanka in 2002 was a true eyeopener. “Seeing children blind through malnutrition and adults without arms and legs because of landmines was really confronting,” she admits.

Injustice, suffering, hope and human kindness sustain her in the fickle and demanding world of politics. “Many friends lost their lives in the war in Sri Lanka last year, and their memories sustain me. My role models are really the people around me,” she says.

Her Sri Lankan Tamil parents escaped violence and discrimination back home in the ‘70s to find new life on African shores, eventually shifting base to Australia when Brami was 8.

“I found Australia to be a very welcoming country. I feel very privileged and fortunate, and I look forward to giving something back,” she adds.

Brami went on to become an investment banker for nearly a decade, before giving it all up to pursue journalism in London. She has worked with SBS and is currently employed with the aid and development agency of Australia’s trade union movement APHEDA, as a communications officer.

This election, she believes, is really an introduction into Australian politics. “I have great admiration and respect for Lee Rhiannon. I wanted to be part of the Senate ticket so that I could use my experience, passion and community networks to help her get elected and to support the other Lower House candidates,” she explains.

“To me, the Greens are the only major party showing any leadership in the areas of global warming, refugees and Indigenous rights. As well, they have a long standing history of showing solidarity with communities that are oppressed, and this is something I feel very strongly about,” she reveals.

While Brami is focusing her energy on Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers and refugees, her future plans are clear. “I would like to do more work around Indigenous rights, global warming and multicultural Australia. The Greens are already leading the way and I want to be an integral part of their journey,” she adds.

Brami has lot of respect for former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd too. “When Rudd was elected, I had a lot of hope. His apology to the stolen generations will be one of Australia’s proudest and finest moments. Rudd also guided us remarkably well through the global financial crisis,” she claims. But she has also been terribly disappointed by some bad decisions, particularly dropping Australia’s commitment to climate change, stopping the processing of asylum seekers from Sri Lanka and Afghanistan and continuation of children living in detention.

According to Brami, Australia needs to urgently address the issue of global warming. Likewise, Australians are sick of