Meat and Livestock Australia Advertisement

Ms WORTLEY (Torrens) (15:32): I rise to add my voice to those who have expressed their disappointment with the recent portrayal of the Hindu god, Lord Ganesha, in a recent Meat and Livestock Australia television commercial.

In my electorate of Torrens, I am privileged to serve a wide variety of communities and faith groups. We pride ourselves here in Australia on our diversity and fully espouse the principles of multiculturalism that have made our wonderful country what it is today. But sensitivity is key to the continued success of what are so widely acknowledged as such harmonious co-relationships.

Torrens is home to significant Indian and Nepalese Hindu and Chinese and Vietnamese Buddhist communities, and many members of these communities are vegetarian. Representatives of these, along with the High Commission of India and peak bodies such as the Hindu Council and Indian Forum Australia, have expressed their concern about the juxtaposition of an embodiment of Lord Ganesha, a vegetarian, at a table at which meat is served and alcohol consumed.

Only yesterday, I met with the newly elected committee of the Indian Australian Association of South Australia who similarly articulated their members' concerns about the commercial. These are not the only communities who have indicated their displeasure at the characterisation of their deities and prophets in the advertisement. Leaders of the Greek Orthodox Christian Church, the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils and the Church of England have expressed similar views.

While we all appreciate our larrikin Australian sense of humour, the view of many of our fellow Australians is that religious sensibilities should always be taken into account and treated with respect. In this case, it is the view of some in our community that those sensibilities have not been sufficiently observed. Soon, these communities will be acknowledging the five-day Hindu Festival of Light, Diwali, which is celebrated by many millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains right around the world. Diwali, which coincides with the Hindu New Year, is a celebration of light over darkness, of good over evil and of new beginnings.

Perhaps it is time for new beginnings in the way we show our respect for and our empathy with our multicultural communities. I hope that those who, undoubtedly in good faith, create commercials such as the one I am discussing will in future be more mindful of the views of all who make up our extraordinary community, unique in the world and so much admired from afar.