Julian Leeser (Berowra, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

India is a rising global power and Australia's relationship with India only deepens with every passing year. Half a million Australians have Indian heritage and 260,000 Indian tourists came to Australia in 2016. India is the largest source of skilled migrants to Australia and the second-largest source of international students. Under Prime Minister Modi, India is playing a more important role in global defence and security, especially in the Indian Ocean. India is the fifth-largest destination for Australia's exports. It has DFAT's economic strategy says:

Australia is well placed to partner with India through its period of modernisation and economic growth.

Australian agriculture can support India’s food security.

Yet Meat & Livestock Australia, an industry peak body designed to promote brand Australia and Australian produce, has put all of this at risk by producing a commercial called 'You'll Never Lamb Alone'. In this commercial the MLA pokes fun at a number of deities, including Jesus and the Hindu deity Lord Ganesh, all of whom are sharing a lamb lunch prepared by an atheist. But of all of the deities it is only Lord Ganesh who is derided as an elephant and then is laughed at by the other lunch guests in a mocking tone. Lord Ganesh is absolutely central to the Hindu faith. There is no Hindu temple without a Ganesh idol in it and he is the first god to whom Hindus pray.

Australians are renowned for their sense of humour, and people of faith have humour, but there is such a thing as going too far. Today, as the chair of the Parliamentary Friends of India, I rise to condemn the Meat & Livestock Australia and call on them to withdraw the commercial and apologise— (Time expired)