Madonna Jarrett (Brisbane, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

This is another first for me since being elected the member for Brisbane. It's my first opportunity to deliver a constituency statement. Today I want to shine a light on two community organisations whose contribution to Brisbane and well beyond is truly invaluable: Community Canteen and Bhartiya Samaj.

Earlier this month I had the privilege of visiting Community Canteen in Newmarket during Homelessness Week. This organisation was founded in 2008. It's a volunteer driven not-for-profit with a simple but powerful mission: to provide fresh, nutritious meals to people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or experiencing hardship. They operate without paid staff and without their own premises, ensuring that every single dollar that is donated goes directly to preparing and serving meals. With more than 250 dedicated volunteers, the organisation prepares over—wait for it—30,000 meals a year. Working in partnership with Communify, they prepare meals at the Newmarket kitchen, which is where I was, using rescued food and donated funds. The meals are then frozen and distributed to those who need them most. Community Canteen offers more than just food; it provides dignity, inclusion and connection not only for those who receive the food but for the volunteers who give their time and energy. When I visited, I was warmly welcomed by Amir and the team of volunteers and I did my bit to lean in and lend a hand. I want to put on record my thanks for the commitment of Amir, the team and all involved.

On that very same day, I also attended the Bhartiya Samaj Empowering Migrants Expo in Brisbane. Bhartiya Samaj was established in Queensland in 2022 and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive Australia, uniting migrants with other locals and, importantly, supporting the South-Asian community. Now only in its second year, the Empowering Migrants Expo, which they established, has become a cornerstone event. This year it attracted more than 8,000 people, making it one of the largest multicultural gatherings in Queensland. The expo showcased 30 multicultural stalls, 15 government stands, 20 international food stalls and 20 cultural dance performances. There was a networking lunch for 200 multicultural leaders and, of course, the 2025 migrant awards ceremony celebrating outstanding contributions across diverse communities.

These events matter because migration has shaped and continues to shape our city for the better. From small business to infrastructure, from healthcare and education to hospitality and the arts, migrants have built and enriched our community. I want to acknowledge the president of Bhartiya Samaj, Mr Abhishek Sharma, and the many volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this expo such a success. Both Community Canteen and the Bhartiya Samaj Empowering Migrants Expo are shining examples of the best in Brisbane, bringing our community together, building inclusion and strengthening the fabric of our community.

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