Josh Frydenberg

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Indian diaspora in Australia calls Josh Frydenberg’s speech unacceptable

Sydney, 1 March, 2020

Joint press release from key Indian Australian community associations is posted below.

1 March 2020
Media Statement

We, the Indian Diaspora in Australia, which is over 700,000, strongly condemn the recent speech of Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in the Australian Parliament (on Feb 27th 2020) where he mocked those who chant “Om”, “Wear Robes”, “Burn Incenses”, and practice the ancient tradition of Yoga.
Given the fact that these are practices of Hindu religion, we are extremely disappointed by his speech. It lacks sensitivity and respect for a religion that is practiced by over half a million Australians and almost a billion people globally. This coming from a senior Federal government minister is appalling, offensive, and unacceptable.
Yoga and Meditation are also an integral part of the Australian lifestyle with one- in-six Australians practicing meditation, and one-in-ten Australians practicing Yoga as part of their everyday lives. Over 4,000+ Australian “Yoga-based” small business owners contribute over $700M to the Australian economy every year.
We understand that the remarks may have been unintentional and without malice, however, the fact is that they are hurtful and appear as mockery. We request that the Minister takes into consideration our concerns and take the necessary action such as withdrawing his statement in regard to the mockery implied in his speech.


Federation of Indian Association of ACT Inc. Dr Sunita Dhindsa. Ph: 0403 113 007
Federation of Indian Associations of NSW Dr Yadu Singh. Ph: 0413 375 669
Federation of Indian Associations of WA Atul Garg. Ph: 0421 456 200
Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland Dr Ram Mohan. Ph: 0421 652 132
Federation of Indian communities of South Australia Umesh Nagasandra. Ph: 0401 034 456
Global Hindu Association for Reform and Sustainable Societies Ltd.
Amit Jadaun & Rakesh Raizada.
Ph: 0455 599 900/ 0434 470 095
India Australia Exchange Forum Amith Karanth. Ph: 0422 362 583

  • END –

Dr Yadu Singh

fianinc1@gmail.com

http://www.twitter.com/dryadusingh

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Yoga and Hinduism rituals are not for ridiculing

Sydney, 28 February 2020

Federation of Indian Associations of NSW (FIAN) has seen a recent video of Mr Josh Frydenberg (Treasurer of Australia), point scoring in the Parliament. In this video he is naming certain rituals involving yoga and Hinduism while mocking an opposition MP. It is clear that he is employing yoga and Hinduism rituals in this political point scoring. Ridiculing any aspect of yoga and Hinduism is offensive to the Hindu community of Australia. The Hindu community considers this ridiculing unacceptable and inappropriate.

FIAN would like the Minister to reflect on what he said in the Parliament and withdraw those offensive comments.

FIAN does not believe that any political leader should ridicule and make jokes about any religion and its practices.

Dr Yadu Singh

President, Federation of Indian Associations of NSW

http://www.fian.org.au

fianinc1@gmail.com

Josh Frydenberg

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Citizenship Audit for All Members of the Parliament should be done 

Sydney, 4 Nov, 2017 

Initially, it was “Citizenship Seven”, about which the High Court of Australia gave its verdict on Friday, 27 October, 2917. 


Section 44 of Australian Constitution debars  dual-citizens from becoming members of Australian Parliament (The Senate and the House of Representatives).

Barnaby Joyce (The National Party member and Deputy Prime Minister), Fiona Nash (The National), Malcolm Roberts (One Nation), Larissa Waters (The Greens) and Scott Ludlam (The Greens) were declared ineligible to sit in the Parliament. Matt Canavan (the Liberal National Party) and Nick Xenophon (The Nick Xenophon Team) were declared eligible to be in the Parliament. Even before the judgment, The Green senators had already resigned and Nick Xenophon had declared his intention to quit the Senate to focus in South Australian politics. 

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-27/how-did-the-high-court-rule-on-each-of-the-citizenship-cases/9094676

Subsequently, Stephen Parry (President of the Senate) declared himself to be a dual-citizen and resigned from the Senate. 

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-01/stephen-parry-confirms-he-is-a-british-citizen/9106558?pfmredir=sm

Now, there is a controversy about Josh Frydenberg (a senior Ministet in the Coalition Government) whether he is a dual-citizen too.

http://www.news.com.au/national/politics/government-minister-josh-frydenberg-may-be-dual-citizen-of-australia-and-hungary/news-story/99ac66dd1269dcf91e8cb60db2361ab5

There is some confusion and speculation whether there are more dual citizens, hence ineligible members, in the Parliament. 

This uncertainty needs to be dealt with. The Government and the Parliament must be freed from the uncertainty about what decision involving ineligible members might later be challenged. The focus must be in the respective jobs, not on dual citizenship. The distraction must end. 

People must have the confidence that laws passed by the Parliament are indeed passed by only those who are legally entitled to be in the Parliament. 

The best strategy here will be to do an audit of citizenship status of every member of the Parliament. A committee of reputed jurists, chaired by a retired Justice of the High Court of Australia, should be tasked to do the job in 2 months. 

With many members of the Parliament demanding it and with Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten coming around with his support for this audit, it’s time that Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, agreed with the citizenship Audit for all MPs and Senators. 

Dr Yadu Singh

http://www.facebook.com/DoctorYaduSingh

http://www.twitter.com/dryadusingh