To pay tribute to the timeless and tireless efforts of media, South Asia Media Conference was organized at Bellhaven Manor Function Centre on Feb 17 , 2018 which was attended by an array of leaders from Labor party along with many South-Asia Media representatives.
It was an interactive meeting wherein the various leaders of Labor party mingled with the sub-continent media representatives and shared their experiences and expectations.
The function was attended by a number of leaders from Labor party including Luke Foley: Leader of the Opposition, Shadow Minister for Western Sydney , Chris Bowen: Shadow Treasurer, Jason Clare: Shadow Minister for Trade and Investment , Michelle Rowland: Shadow Minister for Communications , Anne Stanley MP: Member for Werriwa , Dr Mike Freelander MP: Member for Macarthur, Ryan Park: Shadow Treasurer, Shadow Minister for the Illawarra , Peter Primrose: Shadow Minister for Local Government , Prue Carr: Shadow Minister for Skills, Shadow Assistant Minister for Education , Liesel Tesch: Member for Gosford, Daniel Mookhey MLC , Mayor of Canterbury-Bankstown Council.
Luke Foley while talking on the occasion spoke about his India trip, his activities with South Asian communities and the policies leading to the elections. He also stressed on the importance of teaching second language in NSW.
Michelle Rowland, Shadow Assistant Minister for Communication and Shadow Minister for Small Business and Citizenship and Multiculturalism said that the number of start-ups of India in recent times is really amazing.
Sharing some of his memories from his recent visit to India, Chris Bowen said that there are enormous opportunities but still the trade with India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka needs more consideration.
Chris Bowen focused on his recent trip to India and on the Future Asia agenda focusing leading to the Federal elections.
Jason Clare , MP , Shadow Minister for trade and investment, Shadow Minister for resources and Northern Australia, Member of Baxland in a statement issued has stressed on boosting Australian exports with the sub-continent.
In the statement he added, “Labor pledges to work with local sub-continent communities to help Australian Businesses sell more goods and services to the sub – continent and create more local jobs.
“Australian businesses that export employ more people, pay higher wages and make bigger profits. But only 53000 Australian businesses out of 2.5 million businesses are exporting,” and added that Australia’s trade with India , Pakistan , Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka is massively under done.
“Labor wants more businesses – exporting especially on the sub-continent. Shorten Labor Government will work with local subcontinent communities to increase trade and for that they will establish a joint team made up of officers from DFAT, Austrade, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Industry to better coordinate the work with Australian government does in helping Australian businesses tackle non-tariff barriers (NTB) in potential export markets.”
“Labor will increase the role of businesses in trade negotiations for all future bilateral free trade agreements to get the right outcomes.”
These policies build on FutureAsia policies announced by the Shadow Minister Chris Bowen and the Shadow Foreign Minister Penny Wong will ensure stronger relations between Australia and the subcontinent.
The organizing team consisted of Harish Velji , Aisha Amjad, Balaji Venkatarangan, Bhupinder Chhibber, Mohammad Shoaib Haroon, Goba Katuwal, Thiru Arumugam, Jagath Bandara, Harmohan Walia, Rashed Milon and Colin.
Harish Velji said, “The South Asia media function was the biggest ever. It was a very well attended function. The people participating showed so much interest that they were silently listening for two hours. Many said to me it was one of the most informative functions ever. This was echoed by a MP as well.”
