By Neeraj Nanda

Melbourne: The Victorian Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews has today announced minor changes to the Labor’s Shadow Ministry. As part of the changes, Deputy Leader James Merlino has been appointed the new Shadow Minister for Education, while the newest member of the Shadow Cabinet, John Eren, is now responsible for the Sport and Recreation and Volunteers portfolios, says a media release of the state ALP.

Jacinta Allan has added the portfolio of Police and Emergency Services and will continue in her role as Manager of Opposition Business, and Shadow Minister for Regional and Rural Development and Bushfire Response.

Luke Donnellan is now Labor’s Shadow Minister for Roads, Road Safety and the TAC, while Jenny Mikakos will retain her portfolios as well as taking on the responsibility for the Children and Young Adults portfolio.

Danielle Green has been appointed to the portfolios of Child Safety and Women, and retains her roles as Shadow Minister for Disability Services and Health Promotion.

“The Baillieu Government has let down Victorian voters by wasting its first 14 months in office,” Mr Andrews said.

“We are a united team that’s focused on continuing to hold this do-nothing Government to account.

“Victorians need a Government that can make the hard decisions and do the hard work to create jobs and drive investment, not a Premier who is unable and even appears unwilling to lead.

“Ted Baillieu needs to start leading this state, not just watch on as jobs are lost, hospital beds are shut and schools are forced to cut programs because of budget cuts.”

The following members of caucus, according to the media release, will serve as Parliamentary Secretaries to Shadow Ministers in portfolios as listed:
· Colin Brooks (Education),
· Anthony Carbines (Local Government and Suburbs),
· Martin Foley (Environment and Planning),
· Jane Garrett (Police and Emergency Services),
· Judith Graley (Leader of the Opposition),
· Natalie Hutchins (Public Transport),
· Frank McGuire (Scrutiny of Government),
· Don Nardella (Leader of the Opposition),
· Wade Noonan (Health),
· Jude Perera (Multicultural Affairs),
· Jaala Pulford (Regional and Rural Development and Agriculture), and
· Gayle Tierney (Employment).

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By Neeraj Nanda

Melbourne: The Victorian Government today gave a Christmas gift to the traders of Little India, Dandenong by deciding to grant then six months rent relief and some other steps to address their grievances. The traders of Little India in Dandenong’s Foster and Mason Streets have been agitating for a long time demanding security of trade, relief in rent and many other demands including their lease issues which came up after the Vic Urban (Places TO Be) decided to go ahead with the revitalize Greater Dandenong project.

President of the Foster Street and Mason Street Traders Association Mr. Sayeed of Roshan’s Fashion, told South Asia Times (SAT) that he was informed of the government’s decisions on the phone by Victorian Planning Minister, Mr. Matthew Guy. According to Mr. Sayeed, Mr. Guy told him the government had decided to grant six months rent relief, Vic Urban will immediately have an offer of long term lease of the businesses and initiate talks about the business future individually with all traders.

Full details of the offer are officially not available because of Christmas holiday today. A media release is soon expected on the issue.

The Little India traders had recently held a protest rally outside the Victorian Parliament and the issue was raised by the opposition ALP in Parliament a few times.

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PHOTO: SAT

By our community reporter

Melbourne, Dec. 6: As hundreds of Little India traders and supporters demonstrated outside the Victorian Parliament, inside the Shadow Minister for Planning Bryan Tee, raised the Little India issue in the Council, which was followed by an agitated response from Matthew Guy, Planning Minister. In his reply, the Planning Minister blamed the previous government for the Little India mess and rejected Bryan Tee’s plea for “independent mediation to find common ground and can report publicly on options for a way forward in those areas where agreement cannot be reached”. He said the issue could not be solved overnight and was ready to talk to the traders. Bryan Tee said, “As the Little India was an icon in the present situation it could be lost forever.”
Hundreds of Little India traders and supporters attended the Council session when Bryan Tee raised the Little India issue. Talking to SAT, Kaushilya, spokesperson Little India traders said we had invited the Planning Minister and the Premier also to the rally, but they did not attend. Not once in the Council the Planning Minister made eye contact with the Little India traders as they sat in the public gallery.
Earlier, a big crowd of Little India traders and supporters were addressed on the steps of Victorian Parliament by the Shadow Planning Minister Bryan Tee. He assured the traders and the Indian community that the Australian Labor Party (ALP) will stand by the Little India traders. He was then handed a petition on the issue signed by about 800 people. Others who addressed the gathering were Kaushilya, spokesperson Little India traders, Jude Perera, MP, Manoj Kumar, ALP activist, Sayeed Md., Roshans Fashions.
The protest was colourful laced with a few Bollywood dances and Indian sweets. A large number of local and India media were present to cover the event. Meanwhile, photos of the event have been posted on the Save Little India Campaign Facebook page and it has been receiving a big response from the community.

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Prashant Cherkupalli. Photo: SBS TV

By our correspondent

Sydney: Prashant Cherkupalli, 31, an Indian student in Australia was detained illegally for 509 days between November 2004 and April 2006 at the Villawood detention centre. The Australian Human Rights Commission has found the detention was unlawful and the student needs to be compensated.

The commission President, Catherine Branson, has written to the Immigration Minister, Chris Bowen, with her finding that Prashant Cherkupalli, 31, be paid compensation of $597,000 for the 509 days he was illegally detained between November 2004 and April 2006, reports wa.com.au.

The findings of the Australian Human Rights Commission are not binding.

Prashant Cherkupalli was freed in 2006 and granted a bridging visa with work rights after the intervention of the Federal Magistrates Court. The department has conceded its decision to cancel his visa was invalid.
- SAT News Service

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Anti-corruption rally in Melbourne supports Anna fast. PHOTO: Neeraj Nanda/SAT

By our correspondent

Melbourne, 21 Aug., 2011: Hundreds of Indians including students today held a solidarity rally here in support of the anti-corruption movement in India. Waving the Indian flag and singing ‘Hum honge kamyab ek din…’, they supported the fasting Gandhian Anna Hazare’s fast for a Lok Pal in Delhi.
Carrying banners and Indian flags the gathering shouted slogans in support for establishing a Lok Pal in India. The crowd was joined by many from different communities who had come to the Federation Square to enjoy a sunny day. Some Indian tourists joined in and later the gathering ended with the Indian national anthem.

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By our community reporter

Melbourne: The traders of ‘Little India’ got a big boost on the evening of 17th August when Mr. Jude Perera, MP Cranbourne raised the issue of ‘Little India’ in the Victorian Parliament. He urged the Ted Baillieu government to compensate the traders badly affected by the Greater Dandenong’s ‘revitalisation’ program, which has imposed big business losses.
Little India, a multicultural hub is facing instant decimation because of the ‘revitalisation’ project which has curtailed road access, traffic chaos, lack of parking area, customers turning away, uncertainty of existence and lack of maintenance. The losses suffered by traders are set to ruin many trader families and loss of jobs for about a hundred people.
In his address, Mr. Jude Perera, took upon the State Planning Minister Mr. Matthew Guy for not replying to him and the Little India traders. He called the government to tell the traders about the future plans of the properties that constitute the Little India.
Mr Perera has asked the Planning Minister Mr. Matthew Guy to explain as to what he was doing when he was the Shadow Minister for Planning on the Little India issue, instead of blaming the ‘mess’ on the previous Labor government led by Mr. Brumby.
Mr. Perera said: “Not only does this show that the minister is inactive, uncaring and lazy, but when in opposition he was an inactive, uncaring, lazy shadow minister as well. Therefore due to his inaction, the minister’s meeting with the Little India traders has been reduced to a cynical political exercise. The livelihood of these traders is under threat. They do not appreciate anybody using their plight as a political football.”
In the absence of Planning Minister Mr. Matthew Guy, in his reply, Mr. Smith, Minister of Environment & Climate Change said:
“I say to the member for Cranbourne, who I observe is still in the chamber, that many of the issues surrounding Little India and the Urban Renewal Authority began under the previous Labor government. The former Minister for Planning, Justin Madden, was not clear as to what was happening in that area. I note that the member for Cranbourne said that this issue should not be used as a political football. That is a little hypocritical, in that I noted that the Leader of the Opposition was down there recently getting his photo taken for the local press. It makes me wonder why the Leader of the Opposition when he was a minister and sitting around the cabinet table did not raise these issues at the time.”

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LETTER-1

Dear Editor

As a member of the Hindu community I feel ashamed and deeply sorry for the conduct of the Hindu priest who has been convicted for the indecent assault on 2 victims.

His behavior is not at all acceptable under the Hindu norms or not even under humanitarian law.
We Hindus migrated in large numbers in early 1980′s formed the Hindu society of Victoria to propagate of our eternal religion and principles through good conduct,non violence(ahimsa) and love .
However the priest’s conduct has been a blackmark in our endeavours .

On behalf of the Hindus in Australia I want to say sorry to the Australian public and pardon us for this one man.

Nava ILANKO
Founder member
Hindu society.
Melbourne

LETTER-2

Dear Editor

Priest Premakanthan Rajaratnasarma from the Shri Shiva Vishu Temple in Carrum Downs has been found guilty of indescent assault on a 23-year-old woman around July 2004, as reported in the True Local news of 7 June 2011.

Ardent members of the Hindu Community, whilst stunned at this allegation, are now amazed at the courts findings. A popular saying amongst Hindus goes “Sirf Upar waleh hi sab saaf dekhta hai”, translated roughly it means that only the good Lord can see the reality clearly…what has transpired is known only to He, the Alleged and the Victim.

The Hindu Society of Victoria’s image would remain untarnished despite all these….

Yogen Laxman
Life Member and Trust Director
HSV Charitable Trust
Melbourne

LETTER-3

Dear Editor

How light can a sentence get for a filthy male that has abused female youth? Whilst sentencing Premakanthan the so-called “Hindu” priest for an 18 month jail sentence (suspended for two years), his supposed health issues and eventual guilty plea (which came after several years of pleading not guilty) were taken into account.
As an Australian born eastern girl, I would like to know why this man’s abuse of power, family history of sexual abuse, the psychological trauma his victims experienced and the horrendous acts of sexual assault were not deeply considered in his sentencing. Surely, if they were considered, he definitely would have had a much harsher outcome. The fact that temple authorities were quick to jump on the “support the priest” bandwagon has discouraged my Hindu friends from frequenting the temple site. Attempts were made to get the victims to drop their case.
This shows that temple authorities acknowledge the priest was wrong for why would attempts be made to someone to get the case hushed up. They had a weak case. Imagine if these vulnerable girls were in need of the cash and actually dropped the case? This vulgar being would still be inviting vulnerable young women to have their “horoscopes checked” and would claim he has a divine gift to cure their problems by sexually molesting them.
These victims could be your own friend, sister, mother or daughter. This draws attention to a greater issue in the modernised Hindu religion. You must beware of those that claim to have magical powers. Spirituality and science go hand in hand. What cannot be validated scientifically, logically or through your conscience is clearly something to be avoided. Listen to your instincts and common sense.
The so-called caste superiority as an excuse to abuse others is a groundless claim for power and in western terms it is simply racism and hegemony. All humans are equal.
AAS
Clayton
(Slightly edited)

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Melbourne: Members of the Kashmiri Pandits Cultural Association (KPCA) celebrated the festival of Shivratri on
Sunday, March 13 at Mount Martha’s Community House – a beautiful venue overlooking the bay.
Shivratri is an annual festival celebrated by Hindus worldwide, but has a special importance for
Kashmiri Pandits because in the Shaivism tradition followed by most of them , Shiva is regarded as
the supreme God among the Grand Trinity of Hindu Deities.

Those present at the celebrations in Mount Martha included Mr Vasan Srinivasan and Mrs Krishna
Arora of the Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria (FIAV), Mr Rakesh Kawra, Vice Consul of
the Indian Consulate General, and Sister Margaret Carmel McFaull, OAM – a prominent member of
the local community.

In her welcome address, Anjali Tikoo, the current President of KPCA, said that while those kashmiri
Pandits who had made Melbourne their adopted home, had integrated well into the multicultural
society to which they now belonged, they had not forgotten how important it was for them to
remain connected with their kashmiri roots.

The celebration began with community prayers in praise of Lord Shiva, followed by a sumptuous
feast of at least a dozen dishes, all cooked in the traditional Kashmiri style.

There are several legends surrounding the festival of Shivratri and several ways in which it is
celebrated. Four beautiful children took turns narrating how the festival was celebrated in Kashmir,
highlighting the traditions and rituals which were uniquely Kashmiri. All present were visibly moved
by the involvement of children, all of whom were born after the community had been forced out of
Kashmir.

This was followed by devotional music, and a “Ruf” dance – the most famous dance form in
Kashmir, which is normally a welcoming song for the spring season but is performed on other happy
occasions as well.

And then the final and the liveliest part of the programme: a quiz focussing on the history and
culture of Kashmir.

- Matter supplied

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By our community reporter

Melbourne: The Labor Party has criticised the Baillieu government of stripping the independence of the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC). Earlier, Multicultural Affairs Minister, Nick Kotsiras announced via media release on 3 February 2011, that the VMC would lose its policy and administrative functions, which would be transferred into the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

State Labor MP and Parliamentary Secretary to the Opposition Leader, Colin Brooks said it was obvious the changes would weaken the VMC’s independence and reduce its ability to provide frank and fearless policy advice to Government.
“It is disappointing that at a time when State and Federal Leaders on both sides of politics are rightly defending and espousing the benefits of multiculturalism, the Baillieu Government has removed Victoria’s peak multicultural agency’s ability to do its job,” Colin Brooks said.
“The stripping of the policy and administrative functions from the VMC is reminiscent of way the Kennett Government operated – nobble any person or agency that may have a different view to the Government”.
“The Minister says that the changes to the VMC are in accordance with the Liberal Nationals Coalition policy taken to the election but they must have been written in invisible ink, because there is no mention of the stripping of these functions from the VMC. In fact, the policy says the Commission will “represent all Victorians and not the Government.”
In contrast to their policies, the Liberals have now cynically corralled the engine room of multicultural policy within the bureaucracy.
“To top off this savage gouging of the VMC, the Minister for Multicultural Affairs attempted to spin the Government’s actions as “strengthening the independence” of the VMC – a very clumsy attempt to confuse and then justify the weakening of the Commission’” Colin Brooks said.

In a media release on 3 February, the Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Mr. Nicholas Kotsiras MP said, “Membership of the Commission, while remaining at 12 members, will include a youth representative and a representative from a peak community organisation. Eight Regional Advisory Councils will be established to work in partnership with the VMC and local communities, operating as important conduits for information on regional settlement and service delivery.”

“The Government will also establish a Ministerial Inter-departmental Multicultural Services Advisory Committee to co-ordinate a whole-of-government approach to multiculturalism and citizenship. Chaired by the Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, this committee will provide an important additional link between the OMAC, VMC and government departments, “the release said.

The VMC is an independent statutory authority that was originally established in 1983 under the name of the Victorian Ethnic Affairs Commission. The Commission now operates under the Multicultural Victoria Act 2004.

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VICTORIAN FLOODS

The Victorian Government is offering support, shelter and financial assistance for
communities affected by the Victorian floods.

Relief centres are now open in flood affected areas.

For further information call 1300 842 737 or visit www.dhs.vic.gov.au

To donate to the Red Cross Flood Appeal call 1800 811 700 or visit www.redcross.org.au

Additional information for flood affected regions:
Emergency relief centres are located throughout flood affected regions.

Services provided at the relief centres are: shelter, food, first aid, information on public
health, psychological counselling and financial and legal assistance.

People affected by the floods are encouraged to visit their nearest relief centre.

People can locate their closest emergency relief centre by contacting their local council,
calling the SES Flood Information Line on 1300 842 737 or visiting www.dhs.vic.gov.au for a
full list of centres.

‘After the flood packs’, which are full of advice on precautions to take when returning to your
home are also available at relief centres.

People can apply for grants of up to $1,067 per household to help people meet the immediate
basic needs for clothing, food, personal items and shelter.

As flood water has affected drinking water in many homes, the Department of Health advises
against drinking any water that you do not know is safe. Local water authorities will tell you
if tap water is safe or unsafe to drink, use for cooking, cleaning or bathing. If the water is not
safe use bottled, boiled or disinfected water. Boiled water should be boiled for at least three
minutes.
- Media Release, 19-01-2011

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