The Hindu Council of Australia recently hosted a political town hall to facilitate direct engagement between the Liberal Party and the Hindu community, fostering open dialogue on issues of importance.
Representing the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Peter Dutton, Senator Devanand (Dev) Sharma led the delegation alongside Liberal candidates:
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Katie Mullens (Parramatta)
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Binod Paudel (Macarthur)
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Vivek Singha (Fowler)
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Courtney Nguyen (Blaxland)
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Rattan Virk (Greenway)
- Grange Chung (Reid)
The event drew a strong turnout from community leaders and members, reflecting the growing civic participation of the Australian Hindu community.
Major Announcements
Senator Sharma and candidate Katie Mullens jointly announced two landmark commitments from the Liberal Party:
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$2.4 million towards the establishment of Karma Kitchen, a large-scale community kitchen supporting culturally appropriate meals and charitable food distribution.
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$8.5 million towards the first Hindu School in Australia, acknowledging the need for an educational institution rooted in Hindu values, culture, and holistic development.
In his welcome address, HCA National President Sai Paravastu invoked the sacred diya with a traditional shloka, symbolising light and knowledge. He warmly welcomed all attendees and emphasised the importance of unity and collective harmony by echoing the timeless Vedic invocation: “Sangachhadhvam Samvadadhvam” – Let us walk together, let us speak together, let our minds be in harmony.
Senator Sharma emphasised that both initiatives are seen as the beginning of a long-term partnership with the Hindu community, not a one-off grant. “A Hindu school is long overdue,” he stated, reaffirming the Liberal Party’s commitment to supporting this vision.
HCA Vice President Surinder Jain presented a series of consolidated questions to Senator Dev Sharma, reflecting key concerns and suggestions submitted by members of the community in the lead-up to the event.
Below are key excerpts from the question-and-answer session.
Policy Commitments and Community Concerns
On hate crimes and Hinduphobia:
Senator Sharma assured that a Liberal government would take decisive action against attacks on Hindu establishments and work to curb all forms of religion-based violence.
On the appointment of a Hindu Envoy:
While reiterating that true representation comes from being elected to Parliament, Senator Sharma promised to work with parliamentary colleagues to explore a mechanism for ensuring that the Hindu voice is heard and influences policymaking.
On religious coercion and conversions:
Senator Sharma confirmed that the Liberal Party, under Peter Dutton’s leadership, is committed to protecting religious freedom and would consider measures to address deceptive practices of religious conversion and discrimination against faith and religious communities.
On Hindu refugees:
He acknowledged the ongoing persecution of Hindus in regions like Bangladesh and expressed support for maintaining a generous refugee intake. He shared that he had written to the Foreign Minister and DFAT, urging Australia to voice its concerns and protect religious minorities abroad.
On visa pathways for Hindu priests:
Senator Sharma committed to working collaboratively with the Hindu Council of Australia to establish a dedicated visa pathway for Hindu priests, ensuring their qualifications and contributions are recognised and respected.
On funding research on Hindu community needs:
Responding positively to proposals for research on health, wellbeing, intergenerational identity, and the socio-economic contribution of Hindus in Australia, Senator Sharma contrasted these as more meaningful than “fringe topics like colonialism in dentistry.”
On media bias and ABC reporting:
Senator Sharma acknowledged community concerns regarding recent biased reporting by ABC. He confirmed that the Liberal Party is monitoring the situation and would take steps to ensure that publicly funded broadcasters uphold integrity and balanced journalism, especially in their portrayal of the Indian and Hindu communities.
Follow-up Commitment
In response to a community member’s question, Senator Sharma admitted he did not have immediate figures on Hindu refugees accepted in the past decade but committed to investigating and reporting back. He also assured the community that he would raise his voice in Parliament and on social media whenever discrimination against Hindus occurs.
This dialogue marks a meaningful step in ensuring that the concerns, aspirations, and contributions of the Hindu community are heard and respected at the national level. The Hindu Council of Australia thanks Senator Sharma, the candidates, and all attendees for their engagement.
The Hindu Council of Australia extends its sincere thanks to Senator Dev Sharma and his delegation for their active participation in the Town Hall event and for engaging openly with the community by thoughtfully addressing all questions raised.
We also express our heartfelt gratitude to the community members who attended in large numbers, despite the short notice. Your enthusiastic presence and involvement reflect the strength and unity of our community.
