Five Indian-origin people, including two women, are among the 200 candidates contesting for next months general elections in Australia.
In the House of Representatives all 150 seats will be contested, as well as the 76 Senate seats -- the first time this has happened in an early election since 1987.
The Indian-origin candidates in the fray include two women of Indian background, 51-year-old Australian SikhAlex Bhathal representing the Greens Partyand 43-year-oldFiji IndianLisa Singh of Labor Party.
Shashi Bhatti, who migrated from India in 1989 andChrisGambian, an Australianborn to Indian parents from Bangalore, are alsocontesting theelections fromLabor Party.
39-year-oldMohit Kumar is the only India-born who iscontesting the elections from Liberal party. He is a Faridabad residentwho migrated to Australia in 1994asan international student.
Kumar said it was his consistenthardwork that paid off for him to win the partyticket.
It was imperative for Indians to join the high offices of the country and to be a part of policy making, he said.
"True multiculturalism does not come from lip service orattending Indian events. It alsocomes from having a fairrepresentation at all the levels includinggovernment, parliament, business and other areas," Kumar said.
Gambian said, while there was a low representation of Indians in the Australian politics more Indian background peopleshould become its part.
"I joined the Labor party when I was 16-years-old and I thought it was a party of social justice and fairness," Gambian said adding that his key to win the party was getting involved in party works and believing party policies.
On May 8, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull had announced that Australia will hold elections on July 2, barely eight months after he ousted his predecessor Tony Abbott, promising to revive the sluggish economy.
