The Challenger from Strathfield

Having closely observed the larger than life image of politicians in India and seen them and their kith and kin enjoy the spoils of the office; interest in politics comes naturally to almost all Indians. The thought of joining politics in Australia does cross the minds of many of the Indian immigrants living in Australia, but fades when they get lost in the daily chores of their life and attending to the twin objectives of looking after their kids and reducing the mortgage. Strathfield resident Mark Sharma vowed not to get stuck in the same rut and decided enough was enough and took the plunge to join politics. He is contesting the Federal seat of Watson and is in direct competition with Tony Burke of Labor ,and Liberal Ken Lam. Mark Sharma is also serving Burwood council’s Multicultural Committee in advisory role.

Mark came to Australia 8 years back to study Accounting. Says Mark, “I felt after 2007 elections that I should be more involved. The Liberal party then was in a bad shape and the best position they occupied at that time was the Mayor of Brisbane as Sydney and Perth mayors were independents. I felt you can’t have a system where one political party controls everything.” Mark joined Liberal party during his student days in an activist role and has been a paid Liberal party member since the past 3 years and has since quit the Liberal party. “I did not apply for the position as a Liberal party candidate as it has traditional school of thoughts. Younger people in the party are looked upon as kids. My experience of being with them was that you raise an issue and some body would stand up and say hey…I am a member since the past so many years and seniors are always right. I am for younger generation members in politics” adds Mark.

Mark is also dismissive of the Labor party and says “Look after Kevin Rudd became the Prime Minister he refused to sell Uranium to India and also cancelled the naval exercises with India. Since then the attacks on Indian students have increased. State Labor governments have lax attitude regarding law and order. Nothing substantial has been done regarding these students and we as an Indian community need to speak up. Just doing fund raisers for MPs and raising memorandums will not help. We need to speak up and take our voice into the Parliament.”

I asked Mark if he was contesting to just make a point and his response was, “I can win. You got be in the game to win the game. There is a 1 in 4 chance to win. I have different views on immigration I am supporting immigration. I am not like any other fringe party with extreme views. I am against taxes, against work choices or draconian laws. I am disagreeing with mainstream parties because limiting immigration is not good for our economy. I have got mainstream values. I take things as they come. I will continue to be in politics and get involved in more elections.”

He is also a big critic of the Visa capping bill. He adds, “It is unfair, unjust and discriminatory. It gives way too much power to Immigration Minister. It allows Immigration Minister to cancel applications when he/she feels like which is not fair. If someone has already made an application or about to make it then why should he or she suffer. It’s not their fault that Labor and Liberals want to win marginal seats and are so bringing these policies. I also believe there is a racist element involved to all this. Indians are most likely to come through Skilled Migration and with all the media coverage about racist attacks on Indians in the past the government has decided to silence them through this. It’s like saying indirectly “stay quiet or else we will make it harder for you”.
Mark’s family back home is getting used to his new sought fame and career. “My family back home is getting used to my decision. They were very surprised and I have got a lot of support from my mother. Initially they were not convinced. This is big time stuff for me. The guy standing against me is holding five ministries. Other parties are digging dirt on me and snooping around my home. I hope they don’t play the race or religion card.”

“I have lived in Strathfield, Inner West and have seen large immigrant population from Asian countries. Lot of them are now citizens and have no political representation. I see in railway stations, work, public places, and a huge diversity. We need to see the same diversity in Parliament. We need a new breed of leaders and different people in the Parliament” says Mark.

Mark Sharma says that Watson was considered a safe seat and that was why Julia Gillard was yet to visit the area. ‘‘The real election will be in the marginal seats. People shouldn’t want Watson to be a safe seat because it means politicians ignore it and don’t care.”
If you need any more information contact Mark Sharma on 0433 555 381 and go to his website at www.dimpto.com.

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