Matt Keogh (Burt, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Defence Industry) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to wish everybody celebrating this year are very happy Diwali. Diwali being celebrated this weekend is known as the festival of lights. It spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair. Last weekend thousands of West Australians came together at Claremont Showgrounds to celebrate the bright and joyful festival of Diwali, an event I've enjoyed many times.

This was likely to have been the biggest multicultural event in Western Australia this year, with more than 30,000 people attending across the weekend. It's a testament to the work of the McGowan West Australian Labor government and their fantastic management of the COVID crisis that such a large cultural community event was able to occur. By its very nature, this is a time when we reflect on our many blessings and look forward with hope and optimism to the year ahead. This year that carries a very special resonance.

My community is home to a thriving Indian diaspora. Western Australia and all of Australia have a close relationship with our western neighbour across the ocean in India at many levels—through trade, education, cultural connection and cricket, all of which we can see in our wonderful community here in Australia. This annual festival is a great opportunity for everyone to learn more about our Indian cultures and be part of this magical global celebration. I wish everyone, no matter where you are from, a very happy Diwali as we celebrate this festival of light and the triumph of good over evil.

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