The NSW Opposition has reaffirmed its commitment to standing with the Indian-Australian community, pledging bipartisan support for a motion in Parliament this week and expressing regret over recent offensive remarks made by a Federal Senator.
Leaders of the NSW Liberals and Nationals, including Opposition Leader Mark Speakman SC MP, Deputy Leader Natalie Ward MLC, Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure MP, Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders MP, and Deputy Leader Gurmesh Singh MP, met with Indian community representatives today at Parliament House.
The roundtable discussion focused on strengthening ties between communities, recognising the economic benefits of migration, ensuring the safety of places of worship, and improving pathways to report incidents of hate and racism.
Mr Speakman said the dialogue would mark the beginning of an ongoing engagement between the NSW Liberals and Nationals and Indian community leaders.
“Across NSW, Indian Australians have built businesses, raised families, and enriched every part of our society,” Mr Speakman said.
“The Indian-Australian community is characterised by hard work, family, enterprise, and achievement. They are NSW Liberals and Nationals values. We’ll always stand with Indian Australians.”
Deputy Leader Natalie Ward highlighted the community’s diverse contributions.
“Whether it’s small business, culture, sport, education or faith, the Indian-Australian community adds so much to our state. Little India in Harris Park is a shining example of how integral Indian Australians are to our community,” Ms Ward said.
Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure also praised the role of migrants in shaping modern Australia.
“The Indian-Australian community, along with so many others, have made an enormous contribution to our nation’s story, and they deserve respect, recognition and admiration,” Mr Coure said.
Longstanding Ties with India
The Opposition also reflected on the NSW Liberals and Nationals’ longstanding ties with India. In 2012, then-Premier Barry O’Farrell made India his first overseas mission, a move that strengthened cultural, educational, and trade relationships.
That visit helped secure new trade and investment outcomes, promoted NSW’s growing economy, and raised awareness of the NSW Trade and Investment Office in Mumbai. Further initiatives included opening a Destination NSW office in India, appointing a Trade Commissioner for India, and establishing the NSW Trade and Investment Hub in Mumbai in 2022.
The Opposition has warned that current moves by Premier Chris Minns to abolish the Trade Commissioner role risk undermining the progress made in NSW–India relations.
Recognising Cultural Contributions
The meeting followed the Opposition’s recent visit to Harris Park’s Little India precinct, which has become a cultural landmark and symbol of the Indian community’s contribution to NSW.
The NSW Liberals and Nationals reiterated their recognition of the Indian diaspora’s role in enriching the state with business enterprise, family values, culture, and faith — contributions they described as “the backbone of modern NSW.”
