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More than 400 Guests attended Sub Continent Friends of Labor 4th Annual Dinner at the Bowman Hall Blacktown Sydney

(Report to Sada-e-Watan by: Amarinder Bajwa, General Secretary Sub-Continent Friends of Labor)

Harish Velji, Tanya Plibersek, Aisha Amjad & Michelle Rowland

SCFOL hosted its 4th Annual Dinner on 9 August 2014, at Bowman Hall Blacktown, the heartland of Labor supporters.Over 400 guests attended the event with Hon. Tanya Plibersek Deputy Leader of the Federal opposition and shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs as a chief guest. The event was well attended by both federal and state shadow ministers including Hon Michelle Rowland Shadow Minister for Citizenship and Multiculturalism, Hon Chris Hayes Federal Member for Fowler, Hon Jason Clare Federal Member for Blaxland, Senator Sam Dastyari, Hon John Robertson leader of the opposition in NSW and Leader of the NSW ALP, Guy Zangari Member for Fairfield and shadow Minister for citizenship NSW and the Hon Peter Primrose MLC.

A number of councillors attended the event, including Khal Asfour the Mayor of Bankstown, Angelo Tsirekas Mayor Canada Bay, John Faker Mayor Burwood, Daniel Bott Mayor Strathfield, Councillor Raj Datta, Councillor Charlie Lowles, Councillor Steve Bali, Councillor Leo Kelly, Councillor Susai Benjamin, Councillor Ryan Tracey, Councillor Prue Car, Jamie Clement General Secretary ALP NSW, Dave Latham State Organiser, Dom Ofner , Kennrick Cheah.

                                                                                                        Hon.Tanya Plibersek and Michelle Rowland,MP

Hon Tanya Plibersek in her address to the gathering emphasised on how the current federal Liberal government has been neglecting the subcontinent and migrant communities, as a matter of fact they have abolished all parent visas and increase fee of the contributory parent visa. Contribution has reach to over $100,000 for both parents that is not affordable for the ordinary migrant families who are paying mortgage. Subcontinent and Australian families are also hit by the substantial increase in the university fees and add to the woes of the struggling middle class families to get a decent education. The liberal government had to back down from the amendments sought in sec 18C due to the resistance shown by the Labor communities but it shows the mindset of the current Liberal government. She asserted that the party needs full support from its people to oust this bad Liberal government from power next time.

Hon John Robertson said that only Labor cares about the communities, NSW Liberal government has done nothing to ease life of an ordinary people. Corruption has plagued this government and claimed many heads including their Leader. They are planning to privatise electricity that will increase $500 cost of living for each family. Libs shed many frontline service jobs. I am going to the next state election in March 2015 with clear vision no sale of our polls and wires electricity remains the property of the NSW people, in order to uphold integrity and honesty no lobbyist meeting with Ministers, spending on infrastructure to create more jobs and affordable education for everyone.

Other speakers included Harish Velji and Jamie Clement. All the speakers thanked subcontinent friends of Labor team, Balaji Venkatarangan , Jay Hosur, Moninder Singh, Amarinder Bajwa, Harish Velji, Balraj Sangha, Prabjot Sandhu, Dimmpy Sandhu, Bhupinder Chibber, Mukesh Maru, Ejaz Khan for organising such an event and giving them opportunity to interact with the subcontinent communities directly.Convener of the Annual Dinner event Dr Moninder Singh thanked the sponsors, Media and the caterer for supporting the event.

Hon Tanya Plibersek

Hon John Robertson

Dr.Moninder Singh

Mr.Harish Velji

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