Indian News Queensland | COMMUNITY NEWS
New umbrella body CIFA constituted for all 8 Indian federations in Australia
F
eeling the need for a unifying umbrella body, all eight presidents of various Indian federations across Australian states, including Atul Garg, Prashant Singh, Shyam Das, Ajit Ramdas, Amit Jadaun, Dr Yadu Singh, Dr Ram Mohan, Dr Sunita Dhindsa and Umesh Nagasandra, constituted a national peak body at a meeting held on May 17. Council of Indian Federations of Australia (CIFA) is now a national peak body of umbrella community organisations of Indian Australian associations representing the eight states and territories of Australia. Primary role of CIFA is to advocate and influence national policies on matters affecting Indian Australians through government and diplomatic channels while fostering integration, social cohesiveness and inclusion. This includes promoting bilateral trade, tourism and strategic relationship between Australia and India. In a recent statement releases, CIFA says it is pleased that there is an India-Australia virtual summit between Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 4 June 2020. “We are thrilled that its focus is Democracy, Defence, Diaspora and Dosti. In addition to promoting community well-being, we are a strong advocate of stronger strategic relationship and trade between two countries. CIFA and Indian Australians look forward to the outcome of this summit,” the statement read.
During the current COVID-19 restrictions, CIFA successfully influenced relevant stakeholders in Australia to release support measures for international students and consider related visa issues, and liaised with High Commission of India for Indian international students and the stranded Indian nationals. For helping students in distress, CIFA conducted an Australia-wide voluntary online survey to understand their problems and then lobbied with governments and universities to help them. CIFA consulted with peak student bodies in Australia such as Council of International Students Australia, Council of Australian Postgraduate Students Association, and National Union of Students to identify issues and potential solutions and mobilised support for distressed students. CIFA wrote to the PM of Australia Hon Scott Morrison MP, premiers, chief ministers, Immigration and Multicultural Minister and Education Minister with issues and solutions. CIFA also wrote to vice chancellors of universities and other educational associations. Because of the dire situation due to COVID-19, CIFA set up fortnightly meetings with High Commission of India, Canberra, so that regular updates and advice could be provided to those affected and served as a conduit in forming appropriate solutions for Indian international students and stranded Indian nationals. CIFA also worked with government authorities to stop the attempts by some to scam desperate people in Australia and India in the name of repatriations flights.
CIFA members assisted students, stranded Indian nationals and others in desperate situations with groceries, food, medical help, employment, moral support and advice on repatriation to India. CIFA Members CIFA comprises of two members from each of the following organisations, which are presently represented by: • Mr Atul Garg JP, Chairperson, Federation of Indian Associations of Western Australia, chairperson@ fiawa.org.au • Mr Amit Singh Jadaun, Secretary, Federation of Indian Communities of Victoria, contact.ficv@gmail.com • Mr Shyam Das, President, Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland, president@ficq.org.au • Mr Umesh Nagasandra, President, Federation of Indian communities of South Australia, Umesh61@ gmail.com • Mr Ajit Ramadas, President, Indian Cultural Society of Tasmania, ajitasr@gmail.com • Ms Jenny Santos, President Indian Cultural Society of NT, icsdarwin. nt@gmail.com • Dr. Yadu Singh, President, Federation of Indian Associations of New South Wales, fianinc1@gmail.com • Dr. Sunita S Dhindsa, President, Federation of Indian Associations of ACT, president.finact@gmail.com The chair, secretary and treasurer are ex-officio members of the committee. • Inaugural chair of CIFA is Dr
CIFA successfully influenced relevant stakeholders in Australia to release support measures for international students and liaised with High Commission of India for the stranded Indian nationals
Current FICQ President Mr Shyam Das (2nd right) and the last President Dr Ram Mohan (1st right) are the two selected members from FICQ Sunita S Dhindsa (from Federation of Indian Associations of ACT) president.finact@gmail.com • Secretary of CIFA is Mr Prashant Singh (From Federation of Indian Associations of Western Australia) -
secretary@fiawa.org.au • Treasurer of CIFA is Dr Ram Mohan (From Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland) - adviser@ficq.org.au.
National Reconciliation Week 2020 observed
N
ational Reconciliation Week with the theme ‘In This Together’ begins on May 27th, which marks the Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum, and ends on June 3 every year. 90.77% of the population voted to change two sections of the Australian Constitution that discriminated against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Peoples and allowed them to be counted in the government Census. The Referendum shone a spotlight on the poor living conditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. It drew on the Australian value of a ‘fair go’ for all, resulting in the huge success of the campaign and some limited changes.
www.indiannewsqld.com.au
However, it did not confer citizenship, it did not give the right to vote, and it did not change many of the discriminatory laws of the states and territories that oppressed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Those changes had to be fought for over the following years. The final day of NRW was June 3rd, which commemorates the successful Mabo challenge in the High Court of Australia which resulted in the overturning of the legal concept of ‘Terra Nullius’ or ‘land belonging to no one.’ That doctrine had denied First Nations’ occupation of the land prior to the British Empire claiming ownership of the whole of Australia. Torres Strait Islander Eddie ‘Koiki’ Mabo led the legal battle to achieve legal recognition of traditional ownership of land in Australia.
Months after his death, the Mabo decision was handed down, which recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have rights to the land: rights that existed before the British arrived and can still exist today.
It allows access to land for living, traditional purposes, hunting or fishing and/or to teach laws and customs on
the land. Today more than one million acres have a native title.
It was a turning point for the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ rights, because it acknowledged their unique connection with the land. It also led to the Australian Parliament passing the Native Title Act in 1993 that created a framework which recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have rights to, and interests in, certain land because of their traditional laws and customs. Torres Strait Islander Eddie ‘Koiki’ Mabo (right) led the legal battle to achieve legal recognition of traditional ownership of land in Australia
Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/IndianNewsQueensland
JUNE 2020
16
