Michelle Rowland (Greenway, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Namaste, kam cho, sat sri akal, vanakkam. I rise to wish a happy independence day to the citizens and descendants of the world's largest democracy—India. From scientific evidence of an Indian presence on our shores thousands of years ago to convict and free settlers arriving in the 1800s as labourers to Indian doctors, teachers and professionals migrating in the latter half of the 20th century, our two nations share many common values and traits, including the pride each of us holds in our respective multiculturalism. The bonds between our two nations have only grown over the years, including through migration, education, academia, culture and business.

In 2006, Australia had a population of 147,106 people of Indian background. By the latest 2016 census figures, this number had grown to over 455,000. In my local area, Blacktown was home to just over 7,000 residents of Indian heritage in 2006, which was 2.7 per cent of all residents. By 2016, this number was almost 26,000, comprising 7.6 per cent of residents.

I'm energised by the opportunities for a strengthened forward-looking relationship between India and Australia, a relationship which fully materialises into a regional Asia-Pacific partnership, incorporating links in business, innovation, diplomacy and trade. I wish the entire Indian community a joyous Indian Independence Day.