Motion by the Hon. DAVID CLARKE agreed to:

(1) That this House notes that:

(a) on Saturday 15 August 2015 the Independence Day of India was celebrated at a community festival at the parade grounds, Old King’s School, Parramatta, organised by the Federation of Indian Associations of NSW and attended by several thousand visitors; and

(b) those who attended as guests included:
(i) the Hon. Philip Ruddock, MP, member for Berowra and Special Envoy for Citizenship and Community Engagement, representing the Hon. Tony Abbott, MP, Prime Minister of Australia;

(ii) Ms Michelle Rowland, MP, member for Greenway, shadow Minister for Citizenship and Multiculturalism, representing the Federal Opposition Leader, the Hon. Bill Shorten, MP;

(iii) Dr Geoff Lee, MP, member for Parramatta, Parliamentary Secretary for Communities, representing the Hon. Mike Baird, MP, Premier of New South Wales;

(iv) Mr Luke Foley, MP, member for Auburn, State Leader of the Opposition;

(v) Ms Julie Owens, MP, Federal member for Parramatta and shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Small Business;

(vi) the Hon. Gladys Berejiklian, MP, Treasurer and Minister for Industrial Relations;

(vii) the Hon. David Clarke, MLC, Parliamentary Secretary for Justice;

(viii) Mr Matt Kean, MP, member for Hornsby and Parliamentary Secretary for Treasury;

(ix) Dr Hugh McDermott, MP, member for Prospect;

(x) Ms Julie Finn, MP, member for Granville;

(xi) the Hon. Daniel Mookhey, MLC;

(xii) Mr Arvinder Ranga, representing the Consul-General for India in Sydney, Mr Sunjay Sudhir;

(xiii) Councillor Scott Lloyd, Lord Mayor of the City of Parramatta; and

(xiv) local councillors, leaders and representatives of various Indian-Australian community groups.

(2) That this House:

(a) congratulates the President, Dr Yadu Singh, and the committee of the Federation of Indian Associations in New South Wales on their initiative in organising a successful festival to celebrate the Independence Day of India; and

(b) extends its congratulations and best wishes to India and the Indian-Australian community on the occasion of India’s Independence Day.