In a historic move, the newly appointed Indian-origin Senator from Western Australia Varun Ghosh has become the first ever Australian Senator sworn in on the Bhagavad Gita.
Senator Penny Wong tweeted: “I have often said, when you’re the first at something, you’ve got to make sure you’re not the last.”
The 38-year-old Indian-Australian barrister has succeeded the respected Senator Patrick Dodson who has retired due to health reasons.
Ghosh said his preselection was an honour he won’t take for granted.
“I have had the privilege of a good education and believe strongly that high-quality education and training should be available to everyone.”
Mr Ghosh was born in Canberra on 30 August 1985 and moved to Perth with his doctor parents in 1997, where he attended Christ Church Grammar School. He went on to study arts and law at the University of Western Australia and later studied at Darwin College, Cambridge on the Frank Downing Law Scholarship.
His legal career has been marked by significant achievements and diverse experience. Currently serving at Francis Burt Chambers, Ghosh has an impressive legal background, focusing on commercial and administrative law, as well as industrial relations and employment law.
In his new role, Mr Ghosh is expected to bring new perspectives and insights, particularly concerning the issues faced by multicultural communities in Australia.
In March 2023, Daniel Mookhey has become the first person of Indian origin and the first Hindu to become Treasurer in any Australian Parliament. Mr Mookhey took his oath on the Hindu Holy book the Bhagavad Gita becoming the first senior Minister in Australia to do so.
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