Highlights
- Palani Thevar and Pinky Singh are first-time electoral candidates in Queensland polls
- Mr Thevar is contesting for Maiwar with Labor's ticket while Ms Singh is a Liberal candidate for McConnel
- Both have headed Indian community groups before entering electoral politics
- Navdeep Singh is the Greens candidate and Nik Reddy is the One Nation candidate in these state elections
Mr Thevar, born in India’s southernmost state of Tamil Nadu, is Labor’s candidate from the seat of Maiwar in Brisbane. Although he’s new to electoral politics, he has been a community leader as the president of the Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland.
“I know that I am the underdog at this election, but it’s worth taking up the fight to ensure we continue to keep Queenslanders safe and our businesses, schools and universities open,” Mr Thevar told SBS Punjabi.
His rationale behind running as a Labor candidate is explained by his assessment of Queensland Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk’s government’s response to COVID-19.
“This government has kept Queenslanders safe, and that’s the most important issue for Maiwar residents. Locals tell me that they want to continue on the path of economic recovery and the only way to do that is to re-elect a Palaszczuk Labor Government,” says Mr Thevar.
Maiwar is currently held by the Greens and locals say the party is quite aggressively focused on retaining the seat. When asked how Mr Thevar thinks his campaign is different from the Greens, he appeared to skirt the issue.
“As a party of government, Labor is focused on delivering outcomes for people. That’s why under a Palaszczuk Labor Government, we have seen $107 million invested in local school infrastructure projects, an upgrade to the Auchenflower train station and the ongoing delivery of the Jindalee bridge,” replied Mr Thevar.
Mr Thevar (R) with a friend. Source: Facebook/Palani O Thevar
He also insists that Queensland can’t “afford a Deb Frecklington government of cuts and chaos.”
Although he acknowledges that he is the underdog in the electoral race, Mr Thevar certainly has plans if elected.
“I will continue to support the Indian community to succeed in education, employment and business. I hope that my decision to run as the Labor candidate for Maiwar has encouraged members of the Indian community to become more involved in politics,” says the mental health sector worker.
Thevar’s consciously avoided mentioning Adani when asked about his stance on the controversial coalmine in Queensland and the propriety of thermal power in this day and age. But he offered cryptic support to the Palaszczuk government’s handshake with the India mining giant.
“This government has got the balance right between resources and renewables, including a target of 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030. I am proud of the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s investment in renewable energy, including the recently announced $500 million-dollar Renewable Energy Fund,” he argued.
Just like Labor’s Mr Thevar, Liberal National Party's Pinky Singh is also a political novice but a community leader.
A Punjabi by ethnicity, she has been the president of the Punjabi Welfare Association of Australia but declined many interview requests from SBS Punjabi.
Ms Singh (R) with her family. Source: Facebook/Pinky Singh
Over the past few weeks, there have been some news reports of her husband being allegedly embroiled in a visa controversy.
However, she had told SBS News earlier, “I do believe we need diversity on the floor of parliament. I do feel there’s a cultural barrier and language and they all are here to inspire many more.”
Ms Singh is trying her luck from Brisbane’s McConnell, a seat currently held by Labor. Locals say chances are the Greens might be able to sway it in their favour.
But talking to SBS News, the first-time electoral candidate, Ms Singh, appeared unfazed by competition.
“I don’t believe in a winnable and non-winnable seat, I believe that if your mindset is right people can see you are genuine,” she stated.
Ms Singh, whose formal name is Gurpreet, was actively involved in raising funds and awareness about the tragic killing of her friend, Punjabi bus driver and singer Manmeet Alisher in 2016.
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