Page 2356 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 30 July 2019
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I have heard that it is important to have appropriate infrastructure in place for small business, and that the government is working to reduce pressure on small businesses while growing opportunities. Our ACT government has already done great work in this regard through tax reform that has meant that the majority of businesses in the territory will pay less in ACT government taxes than equivalent businesses in New South Wales.
The Labor Party is the party of jobs and strong economic management. Jobs and a strong economy create a foundation for small businesses to thrive. These are the values that I will continue to advocate for in this chamber and in my electorate.
My personal story of migrating to Australia is no different to most migrants’ stories. In fact, I suspect that one could even make a good Bollywood or a Hollywood movie out of it!
In our multicultural society, migrants have played a significant role in shaping the cultural landscape, having brought their own beliefs and customs to their adopted homeland. According to the 2016 census, 26 per cent of residents were born overseas or were recent arrivals, and nearly one in four residents speak a language other than English at home. Gungahlin is also driving our capital’s growth, mostly the northern area, which is up from 30,000 people in 2011 to more than 71,000 in 2016.
At its core, multiculturalism is a celebration of equality of opportunity, social cohesion and the strength of diversity. These values have always driven me, and I am really proud to stand in this chamber as an Australian-Indian.
Education is the greatest tool that we have to give Australian citizens a fair go and optimise outcomes for our country. We know that the way we build the future prosperity of this nation is to build human capital through skills training and education. This is essential to our future productivity and the growth of our economy.
I am proud to stand here to represent the electorate of Yerrabi, which is home to great schools because of the work of our government. In fact, the Margaret Hendry School in Taylor was opened last year, and a new primary school will open its doors in Throsby in 2022. I look forward to working to improve access to and the quality of our education institutions in my electorate.
I stand here today grateful for the trust that has been bestowed upon me, and I am mindful of the challenges and opportunities ahead. I have always had a passion for community service. It has opened my eyes in new ways, to see the world from different perspectives—meeting new people, listening to their challenges, appreciating diversity and differences, being more tolerant, more caring, and bringing results to make a difference.
Successive governments led by Jon Stanhope, Katy Gallagher and now Andrew Barr have long supported the Gungahlin area and made it the wonderful place it is now, and I want to build upon this great legacy. I am determined to initiate and bring tangible change for my community in a meaningful way, and for that change to be longstanding and durable.
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