Dean Smith (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I just want to celebrate Western Australia's Indian community—

Louise Pratt (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I love Diwali.

Dean Smith (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

who had a fantastic Diwali Mela event on Saturday and Sunday. I was privileged enough to be there on the Saturday night with, I think, 15,000 Western Australians of Indian heritage in a celebration of light defeating darkness, a celebration of dance, a celebration of culture and a celebration of the wonderful contribution that the Indian community makes to my home state of Western Australia, and we were blessed. We had a fantastic opportunity to watch the performance of a Mr Terence Lewis. I am not surprised that none of my Senate colleagues yet know about Terence Lewis. Terence Lewis is very famous in India. He is a famous dancer and choreographer whose sister happens to live in Perth, Western Australia. Terence Lewis was well received by the crowd and did a fantastic performance that kicked off a night of celebration. So my heartfelt thanks and congratulations go to the Western Australian Indian community for putting on such a fantastic event over the weekend in the heart of Western Australia's capital city, the Perth CBD.

Louise Pratt (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Smith. What a beautiful speech about Diwali.

Senate adjourned at 20:40