Sada-e-Watan
Sydney ™
sadaewatan@gmail.com
Hon.Nathan Rees Deserves Our Community Support
Former Premier of NSW Hon. Nathan Rees would be wondering what wrong he has done to Indian community to warrant a challenge from an Indian member of the Australian Labor Party. This challenge involves an attempt to oust him as the candidate for the Australian Labor Party in the seat of Toongabbie which he currently holds. According to the media reports Mr Susai Benjamin, a candidate of Federal MP Laurie Ferguson, a registered migrant agent is the challenger. The media reports also indicate that the Australian Labor Party branches in the seat of Toongabbie have been stacked with Indian people.
Nathan Rees has parallels to a new newly arrived migrant- a person who works his heart out and finally achieves greatness. Upon completion of his studies at Northmead High School where he was also a school captain went to work as a greenkeeper for the Parramatta Council. Later he went to study at University of Sydney, graduating in literature. To support himself he worked collecting garbage. Mr Rees graduated in 1994 with honours and later worked for Deputy Premier Andrew Refshauge and other senior parliamentarians. Mr Rees was first elected to the parliament in 2007 and immediately made into the cabinet as a Minister. It is during his short stint as the Premier of New South Wales; Nathan Rees became a pin up boy for the Indian community and continues to do so.
Nathan has never refused to attend an Indian function if he is available. He is a favourite amongst the Indian community and is in great demand to be a chief guest for their functions. Interestingly he has never been to India but, has great love for the country. Nathan Rees had already initiated a meeting with Indian community of New South Wales only to see the student issue arise in Victoria and this led to pre emption which prevented such situations arising in New South Wales.
The government of New South Wales and Nathan Rees personally came for very lavish praise from the Consul General of India Amit Das Gupta for their effort to thwart the situation reaching crisis point. During his time as the Premier of New South Wales AR Rehman concert was arranged to take place at Parramatta, an Indian heartland. This cost the New South Wales Government $4million dollars to host this concert. Also during his time as the Premier, the New South Wales Government opened its trade office in Mumbai. This office is only one of the four trade offices around the world by the state. The Parramasala which we are about to witness was also happens to be a vision of Nathan Rees.
Nathan Rees is a perfect example what an Indian community would expect out of its own member of parliament. Who says one has to be an Indian to represent an Indian in the parliament even though there are some who are pushing this barrow.
It is our turn to show gratitude to the man who has supported us by asking other fellow Indian members of the Australian Labor Party in the electorate of Toongabbie to vote for our man - Nathan Rees.
