Parramatta Council

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Attacks on Harris Park businesses need to stop

Harris Park bullet attack 25th Aug

Sydney, NSW

26th Aug, 2015

PRESS RELEASE

Attacks on Indian businesses in Harris Park need to stop

Federation of Indian Associations of NSW is very concerned about spate of serious attacks on Indian businesses in Harris Park over the last few months. Last night, popular Billu’s Eatery in Harris Park was attacked with a bullet fired at the window at 9PM. This is the 4th in the series of serious crime, targeted at businesses in Harris Park.

People were lucky last night that the bullet did not hit anyone. There were 30-40 people inside the restaurant and many people outside on the street. It was a very close save. It could have been a fatality.

Businesses are very concerned about such attacks. These attacks are affecting them on multiple ways. Indian Australian community is equally concerned about such crimes. There is a serious disquiet, agitation and concern in their minds.

There are strong rumours, although not confirmed, that some people of criminal background are targeting Indian businesses with the purpose to intimidate and bully them to facilitate “Hafta” (Extortion of weekly money) collection. This practice is common in South Asia, but must not be allowed in Sydney.

Our businesses do not need or deserve to be intimidated, fired at, or harmed. They have all the rights to conduct their businesses without intimidation from anyone. Businesses are already struggling and such activities are the last thing they need.

We urge NSW Police, Police minister & Premier, Mike Baird, to do everything to get to the bottom of this whole thing in Harris Park and get the culprits out of action.

We urge Parramatta Council and Parramatta Police Local Area Command to organise a security and safety review of Harris Park area urgently and fix the short comings found after the review.

Dr Yadu Singh

President, Federation of Indian Associations of NSW Inc

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0413 375 669, Fianinc1@gmail.com

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Parramasala, The Australian Festival of South Asian arts, is a milestone in multicultural NSW!

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Parramasala, the Australian Festival of South Asian Arts, was initiated by Premier Kristina Keneally, then Premier of NSW, in 2010. It was held in 2011 and 2012 too. I and my friends have enjoyed it every year. Thousands of people from all backgrounds have enjoyed it too.

There are some question marks over whether it will continue in 2013 and beyond .

The budget of the festival is approx $1.5 millions, out of which approx $300,000 is contributed by Parramatta Council.

I attended a meeting, called by Parramatta Mayor recently. There was a discussion regarding the direction Parramasala should be taking from now on.

There was a discussion regarding whether one segment of Parramasala should happen in the neighbouring Harris Park suburb where there are many businesses from Indian/South Asian community.

There was a discussion whether “Curry & Spice festival”, focused on Harris Park should be included in the Parramasala.

There was a discussion regarding what Parramatta Council should do to get Harris Park included in Parramasala event. There was also a discussion regarding what Parramatta Council should do if Parramasala does not include Harris Park in the event.

After this meeting, we, the members of the community and businesses from Harris Park, had some further discussions among ourselves. I had some further discussions with many people on this.

This is what people think/feel about Parramasala and related events:

1. Parramasala is a significant event for NSW and South Asian communities.

2. Parramasala should continue to happen in 2013 and beyond.

3. Parramatta Council should continue to be a partner in Parramasala, contribute its share of money and should have a significant role in organising the event.

4. It will be nice if Harris Park event-Curry & Spice festival- is a part of Parramasala.

5. Parramasala should still continue to be held, even if Harris Park event-Curry & Spice festival- is not a part of Parramasala.

6. If Harris Park event-Curry & Spice festival- is not a part of Parramasala, it should still be organised and it should happen separately. Money aspect for Harris Park event should be worked on separately and should not be mixed or confused with anything to do with Parramasala. Contribution in advertisement and other related costs should be based on some fair formula. Contribution share based on number of seats in the restaurants is one such formula. Non-food businesses need to be involved in the festival and their contribution will need to be reasonable and fair.

7. Harris Park event- Curry & Spice festival- should be organised with participation from local businesses, community reps and Parramatta Council, as it is not only about local businesses.

Parramasala Board should have only those people who have vision, ability and capacity to organise an event of this nature. This is important to help this event grow , make the event more popular and have bigger participation of not only South Asian communities, but also general community. This has not happened and this needs to be reviewed why it has not happened.

Nomination of  people in Boards of events of this nature should be guided by quality and ability, in addition to vision of such people, not who the Govt leaders like even if such members do not have the required quality and ability.

Parramasala Board should be reviewed and reconstituted. Details of the festival:www.parramasala.com

Dr Yadu Singh/Sydney/15th March, 2013
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