Andrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Last week we celebrated the Hindu festival of Holi at the Sunshine Coast. It was a vibrant event at the Kings Beach Amphitheatre. I would like to thank local leaders Vas Srinivasan and Arvind Pandit. I had the privilege of taking part of their request. Everyone had a fantastic time and the state member for Caloundra, Jarrod Bleijie, especially got into the spirit. There wasn't an inch of him that wasn't a different colour. He was absolutely soaked by the kids. I'm not sure who enjoyed it more—the kids or him.

Holi celebrates the triumph of good over evil. It's a day full of bright colours and dancing, but, more importantly, it's a day filled with forgiveness and reconciliation. Here, in Australia, it falls on a perfect time, which is that of Harmony Week, which we celebrated.

The population of people of Indian decent in Australia is exploding, especially on the Sunshine Coast. It is now the third-largest population of immigrants in Australia. Indian-Australians are excelling in all walks of life. We have Indian-Australian novelists, journalists, singers, diplomats, politicians, public servants, professional athletes, business leaders and academics, who are all leading the way in their respective fields on the Sunshine Coast and throughout Australia. Thank you for taking me and joining me into your community.

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