Bhutanese Australian Association of South Australia

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:36): Bhutan, referred to as the last Shangri-La, is a small Himalayan country set between India and China. It has a population of approximately 800,000 and is ruled by a monarchy. Until 2008 Bhutan had no constitution, rule of law or independent judiciary, and, from as far back as 1988, the human rights situation has grown increasingly severe due to a discriminatory policy enacted against the Lhotshampas, the southern Bhutanese people of Nepalese origin and predominantly of Hindu faith.

The resettlement of Bhutanese people in South Australia began on 12 May 2008, a day now marked by that community as the annual Settlement Day. Since then, over 400 Bhutanese people have made South Australia their home through the third country resettlement program, many of them direct victims of human rights violations in Bhutan, including torture. Some Bhutanese arrived in Australia having spent over a decade in refugee camps and villages in Nepal. The third country resettlement program was launched by seven core countries: Australia, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and the United States.

On behalf of our Liberal leader Steven Marshall and the Hon. Jing Lee, I attended the seventh Bhutanese Settlement Day, hosted by the Bhutanese Australian Association of South Australia (BAASA) at Parafield Gardens last Saturday. Also in attendance were the Minister for Multicultural Affairs and local member for Ramsay, the Hon. Zoe Bettison, and Mayor Gillian Aldridge of the City of Salisbury.

The Bhutanese Australian Association of South Australia is inclusive, non-profit and non-partisan. The association initially began in November 2009 under the title of the Bhutanese Association in South Australia. The first AGM was held on 30 July 2011, with the association's name amended at that time to its current title.

The Bhutanese Australian Association of South Australia aims to provide security, progress and prosperity to the Bhutanese community in South Australia and to promote their traditional culture and the protection of the Bhutanese people's human rights, both within and outside Bhutan. They are involved in charitable works, particularly environment and conservation activities. Recently the association raised over $8,000 for earthquake victims in Nepal.

The association also provides a range of services for its members to help their transition into mainstream Australian society. These services include: employment assistance; education services and support for students; helping members understand the Australian Constitution; support for aged people and the disabled; and organising training, seminars and workshops for members. The association is increasingly involved in the broader South Australian community and, I understand, was quick to offer assistance at the time of the recent fire which started at Sampson Flat.

The hospitality and welcome I received from the Bhutanese Australian Association of SA's executive committee was outstanding and I wish to thank the chairperson, Mr Kamal Dahal, and the other members of his executive, including the vice chairperson, Lal Bahadur Rai, the secretary, Jai Narayan Bhandari, the treasurer, Amber Chhetri, and the public officer, Tika Katel.

As I mentioned, this organisation, as well as promoting the culture and the language of their heritage, and that was on great display with the music and dancing last Saturday, is also very actively engaged with the remainder of the South Australian community and I think that is equally important. It was a great pleasure to be with the Bhutanese Australian Association last Saturday and, once again, I would like to thank the chairperson, Mr Kamal Dahal, and congratulate him and his group on the manner in which the whole event was managed and put on to the broader community.