Varun Ghosh makes history as first Indian-origin Australian Senator

mangaloretoday.com

New Delhi, Feb 05, 2024: Varun Ghosh, an Indian-Australian barrister, became the first Indian-born member of the Australian Senate, representing Western Australia. He is also associated with the World Bank.

 

The Labor Party has officially chosen him for this role, replacing Senator Patrick Dodson, who is set to retire due to health reasons, as decided by a joint meeting of the Western Australian Parliament in February.

"The Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council have chosen Senator Varun Ghosh to represent Western Australia in the Senate of the Federal Parliament," The Legislative Assembly of Western Australia announced on X on February 1.

Varun Ghosh joined the Labor Party in Perth when he was just 17, after his parents moved from India in the 1980s and started working as neurologists.

His selection for this position is a big deal, and he expressed that being chosen is an honour. Ghosh believes strongly in making high-quality education and training accessible to everyone.

“I have had the privilege of a good education and believe strongly that high-quality education and training should be available to everyone,” Varun Ghosh said in a statement.

For the past few years, Ghosh has worked as a barrister, dealing with legal matters in Western Australia and internationally with the World Bank.

The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Matt Keogh, expressed excitement about working with Varun as part of the Labor Party’s Senate team in Canberra.

In the 2019 federal election, Ghosh was placed fifth on the Australian Labor Party’s Senate ticket in Western Australia but was not elected.

Born in 1985, Ghosh moved to Perth in 1997 and attended Christ Church Grammar School.

He has been actively involved in public service, reflecting his commitment to high-quality education.

He holds degrees in Arts and Law from the University of Western Australia and has been recognised as a Commonwealth Scholar in Law at the University of Cambridge.

Before his current role, Ghosh worked as a finance attorney in New York and as a consultant for the World Bank in Washington, DC.

He returned to Australia in 2015, working with King & Wood Mallesons, dealing with legal matters for banks, resource companies, and construction companies.

Varun Ghosh’s journey from joining politics at a young age to becoming a key figure in the Australian Senate represents a significant milestone, bringing diverse perspectives to the country’s political landscape. His selection for the Australian Senate seat not only recognises his achievements but also represents the growing diversity in Australian politics.

Courtesy: India Today