In a first for any major Australian political party, Nepal-born Australian citizen Pramej Shrestha has been named as a candidate in the upcoming federal election.
If elected on the May 18 vote, Mr Shrestha, who has been nominated by the Liberal Party of Australia, will be the federal member for Barton.
“the most important thing is to look at the policies that the parties represent.”
Mr Shrestha tells SBS Nepali he is delighted to make history and is aware of the challenges ahead.
"This is more about listening to the community and working with them," he says.
"I hope to inspire many more youngsters from marginalised communities, like my own, to come forward and participate in serving our nation," Mr Shrestha says.
But, he is far from being called the Member for Barton just yet.
Linda Burney, a Labor stalwart and the first Indigenous woman in the federal House of Representatives, is contesting the seat for her second term. In the 2016 election, Burney won Barton on a margin of 8.3 per cent.
Labor MP for Barton Linda Burney at the Nepali New Years event held in Sydney. Source: Supplied
Linda Burney’s presence
Barton’s current MP is not an unknown name within the local Nepali community.
When the local community group organized an event to celebrate Nepali New Year on Sunday April 14, Linda Burney was the chief guest.
"A strong policy on education, health, disability and making sure climate change does not destroy our country.”
Sporting a Nepali hat and scarf, she spoke about the contributions made by the members of the Nepali community in her electorate of Barton, and has since laid out why she says the community should vote for her.
Speaking to SBS Nepali Burney says, “the most important thing is to look at the policies that the parties represent.”
“If elected, the Labor party will take a close look at various visa arrangements to make sure people who are experiencing violence are not disadvantaged.”
“A strong policy on education, health, disability and making sure climate change does not destroy our country.”
“We’re putting $17 billion back into schools that was taken out. We’re going to be supporting many university and TAFE places.”
Pramej Shrestha’s ideas for the community
Labor MP Linda Burney with supporters (left) and Liberal candidate Pramej Shrestha (right) with family. Source: Facebook
The Liberal party candidate was also at the Nepali New Year event in Rockdale, where he spoke to some of his supporters.
Addressing the “critical issues of the community” will be his topmost priority, he told SBS Nepali.
"I have lived in Barton for the last twenty years. The area has lots of people from diverse migrant backgrounds. I will be feeding issues I hear back to the party so if we need to do something better, we can do that in policy level."
With many in the community running a small business, he says he will work hard for families and small businesses.
“I will be working for tax relief for families and small business to help keep our economy strong,” he says. “A stronger economy will lead to more investments in services like health and education.”
Pramej Shrestha is a Nepal born Liberal party candidate for the seat of Barton in the May 19 federal election. Source: Supplied
Entry into politics
So how did a boy from Nepal get into Australian politics?
Mr Shrestha says joining the Liberal party-aligned Liberal Friends of Nepal was his first step toward understanding Australian politics.
"Will work hard for families and small businesses."
"Politics is more about making policies that make a real difference in improving people’s lives,” he says.
Mr Shrestha says when he went back to Nepal during his high school years he “realised how lucky we were in Australia".
"Power cuts, no running water and a whole lot of facilities people were deprived of. And, in Australia, I realised we are surrounded by people who support us to realise our goals."
"I felt I somehow needed to give back to the country that has given me so much," he added.
A candidacy dividing the community?
Barton, with suburbs including Kogarah, Hurstville, and Tempe, has one of the highest concentrations of Nepali Australians in the country.
Shrestha’s selection as a candidate by a major political party has excited many voters in the community, who are eager to support him.
Niraj Shrestha, not related to Pramej, is one of the founding members or Liberal Friends of Nepal.
As the group’s name suggests, Niraj supports the Liberal party and says for Pramej Shrestha to be given an opportunity by governing party is an historical event, not just for the local Nepali community but migrant communities in general.
“We’ve always said we have to be involved in mainstream Australian politics to be able to help with the community like ours. Pramej will play a big role as a bridge between us and wider Australian communities.”
Labor member Mohan dev Bhatta (left) and Liberal member Niranjan Prasai (right) spoke to SBS Nepali Source: Supplied
“You can vote for a Nepali in Nepal.”
Bhatta is a NSW Labor party member and is currently working at the party’s Kogarah Bay branch.
“You have to understand what the agenda of the political party is”, he says. “You can vote for a Nepali in Nepal.”
He gives an example of the Morrison government policy of sending new migrants to regional areas of the country.
“Why not improve transport and infrastructure here than force people to move to regional areas,” he says.
Barton resident and Liberal party supporter, Niranjan Prasai disagrees.
“Migrants like us are in Australia because of the Liberal party,” he told SBS Nepali.
“Their policies on infrastructure, education... We came to Australia for a better future. That’s why we have to support the party.”
Prasai, who joined the Liberal party around seven years ago, is currently helping with Pramej Shrestha’s campaigning, including providing an office space.
He agrees that voters shouldn’t support a candidate just because they are of Nepali background.
“But the party Pramej is standing for is the party of the future,” he says.
