Zed Seselja (ACT, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's hard to disagree with anything that Senator Hinch just said. It's a great privilege to be the Assistant Minister for Social Services and Multicultural Affairs. In that role I've had the great honour of meeting and visiting diverse and vibrant communities all over our great nation, including taking part in some of their unique celebrations and events.

One of these events took place last Friday, 13 October, when I had the great pleasure of representing the Prime Minister and presenting his address at the India Australia Business & Community Awards ceremony, held in Brisbane City Hall. The India Australia Business & Community Awards, or IABCA as it's otherwise known:

… celebrates the Australia India relationship while honouring migrant entrepreneurship and community leadership. These awards acknowledge migrants who have achieved and contributed greatly to our multicultural nation. IABCA raises awareness of Indians in Australia and Australians in India, in a way that encourages further growth in relations—

between our two nations. It was a fantastic evening which honoured the monumental contributions made by IABC winners and finalists to the Australia-India space.

I'd like to recognise the winner of the most coveted IABCA award, the India-Australia Ambassador of the Year, Neville Roach AO, Chairman Emeritus, AIBC. This award recognises an outstanding individual who has made substantial developments to the India-Australia relationship. I would also like to congratulate each of the other winners: Young Professional of the Year, Mandeep Sodhi, from HashChing; Young Community Achiever of the Year, Jennifer Star, from Tara.Ed; Community Services Excellence Award, Eye Play Sport; Business Woman of the Year, Celina Lazarus; Business Leader of the Year Male, Charlton D'Silva, from Publishers Internationale; Business Leader of the Year Female, Dr Dimity Dornan AO, from Hear and Say; Travel Agency or Tour Operator of the Year, Total Holiday Options Australia; Indian Restaurant of the Year, Roshni Indian Restaurant; Spirit of Sport Award, Molina Asthana, Founder and Executive Director, Multicultural Women in Sport; Australian Exporter of the Year, Novotech CRO; Indian Investment in the Australian Market, Riverina Oils & Bio Energy Pty Limited; Small Business of the Year, KOCO; and SME of the Year, iOmniscient Pty Limited. All these individuals and businesses were determined as leaders in their respective categories.

The event was attended by a number of other special guests, including Dr AM Gondane, the High Commissioner of India to Australia; Her Excellency Ms Harinder Sidhu, the High Commissioner of Australia to India; Peter Varghese, Chancellor of the University of Queensland; Sheba Nandkeolyar, Chair of AIBC; and Kiran Ramrakha, managing partner of Barker Henley. The night was a huge success, including internationally acclaimed Rajasthani folk band The Kutle Khan Project in collaboration with Confluence: Festival of India in Australia. It was enjoyed by all who attended. I would like to extend thanks to all those who made it possible, including the India Australia Business and Community Awards, the Queensland government, Barker Henley, Riverina Oils & Bio Energy, Synapse Medical Services and Malgudi Days. Finally, I want to give a huge congratulations and thank you to Sonya Gandhi, from Gandhi Creations, for the huge effort she put into organising such a wonderful and inspiring event.

Last Saturday, 14 October, was McHappy Day. McHappy Day is one of the largest national fundraisers for Ronald McDonald House, a charity that has been running in Australia for over 25 years. It was my privilege to attend the Erindale McDonald's restaurant and to assist the owner, Ben Stockbridge, in serving customers. I was on the drive-thru. It was a wonderful time, with all sorts of activities, from car shows to face painting. Two dollars from each Big Mac sold on the day was donated by McDonald's to Ronald McDonald House, which is a truly amazing charity. Those who have experienced it and seen it in action know that it gives support to so many families who are doing it tough, whose kids are in hospital. The first Ronald McDonald House opened in Camperdown in 1981. It has been one of our great charities. There are now 16 Ronald McDonald Houses in Australia and more than 360 worldwide. So, in the time I have left, I want to say well done to McDonald's, well done to Ronald McDonald House and well done to Ben Stockbridge at Erindale McDonalds and all the other proprietors of McDonald's who support this wonderful charity.