Kaushaliya Vaghela describes her campaign for the Legislative Council seat from the Western Metropolitan Region as a crusade for the Indian community, which she says has given her abundant love and acceptance over the years.
Calling herself a “proud migrant”, Ms Vaghela believes it’s high time we have an Indian representative in the Victorian Parliament.
“I am a migrant, like so many of us, and I’m proud of that. I came to this country in 1998 and not a day goes by when I don’t recognise just how fortunate I am to live here,” Ms Vaghela told SBS Punjabi.
“We are one of the most educated migrant community and we still do not have a representative in our Victorian Parliament. If I win this election, I will be the first Indian-born MP in the Victorian Parliament.”
Having served as a Multicultural Advisor to the Labor Party-led Victorian Government, Ms Vaghela is quite familiar with the halls of the Parliament and wishes to bring her experience and leadership to the position.
Time we have an Indian representative in Victorian Parliament, says Labour candidate Kaushalya Vaghela. Source: Facebook
“Entering politics wasn’t something I had planned for but being part of the advocacy group for the community has made me go on a political path. I have acquired the experience while working with a minister, and it has given me an insight as to how Australian politics or the government works,” said Ms Vaghela.
Apart from her stint as an advisor, Ms Vaghela has also served as the President of the Victorian chapter of Subcontinental Friends of Labor (SCFOL), which is a conduit between the Labor Party and the members of the subcontinent communities.
She has also held the position of a secretary within South Asian Public Affairs Council (SAPAC) Australia, a non-profit organisation that promotes the interests of the South Asian community.
A scientist by profession, Ms Vaghela is making health care and education as central issues of her campaign.
Labor can be trusted to deliver the infrastructure and investment we need in western suburbs, says Ms Vaghela. Source: iStockphoto
“We must aspire to lead the nation in education standards and continue to build quality schools to both cope with our rapidly expanding population in the West and educate the scientists of the future.
“We must continue to invest in our health system to ensure no Victorian ever has to worry about what will happen if a loved one gets sicks,” added Ms Vaghela.
She strongly believes that Labor Party has what it would take to improve infrastructure and living conditions in the Western Metropolitan Region.
“We all know the western suburbs of Melbourne are booming and we all know that only Labor can be trusted to deliver the infrastructure and investment we need. Over the last four years, the Andrews Labor Government has built schools, hospitals and removed level crossings in the west.”
“We know the Liberals won’t invest in the services these communities need, all they do is cut,” said Ms Vaghela.
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