Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Hansard source

The honourable members and the whole House would have watched with great concern the episodes in Bangladesh over recent months, with the fall of the government and the violence. Our thoughts are with all Bangladeshis at this difficult time. I particularly want to make reference to the violence and the plight of ethnic and religious minorities in Bangladesh and to raise some matters for the House.

Recently, there was a briefing of members of parliament, which I participated in online. I was joined by Dr Charlton, Dr Freelander, Anne Stanley, Mr Thistlethwaite and representatives from Minister Husic's office and Minister Rollin's office. The briefing was organised by Councillor Suman Saha of Cumberland City Council and 46 leaders of the Bangladeshi community who raised issues. We were also joined by three members of the families of victims of violence in Bangladesh over recent months. There are very complex matters at play and not every report will be accurate, but, nevertheless, I'm satisfied that there are genuine issues that need to be addressed. Genuine issues were raised in this meeting: 725 homes and businesses damaged, 724 homes and businesses looted, 58 homes and businesses set on fire, 17 places of worship damaged, 21 places of worship looted.

Included in these statistics are human stories. It has been reported that Rahul Ananda's home was looted and set on fire. I'm told that Rahul's home was host to cultural vibrance and community. Rahul is a very famous musician in the Bangladeshi community. His house has previously been visited by President Macron of France. But, since the attack, Rahul has been forced to flee Bangladesh. This is one of many stories during this tragedy. All violence is to be abhorred. Minister Wong made it clear that we want restoration of stability in Bangladesh. I do recognise the efforts of the new government, led by Muhammad Yunus.

As I said at the outset, all violence to all Bangladeshis is to be deplored, but I want to take this opportunity to raise the particular matter of attacks on religious and ethnic minorities in Bangladesh—Hindus, Christians and others. I, together with other Western Sydney colleagues, have written to Minister Wong raising this issue. We'll continue to raise these concerns. I know our representatives in Bangladesh have been actively ensuring that Australia's views about the need for a return to stability and lack of violence are represented. There has been violence against these minorities in the past, particularly in 2021 during the Durga Puja, but I wanted to take this opportunity to raise this very important matter for the information of the House and to assure Bangladeshis who are ethnic minorities that the House is watching and listening.

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