Bangladeshi to run for Australia state parliament

Bangladeshi origin Sabrin Farooqui has become the first woman from the country who received Australian Labor Party (ALP) nomination for a parliamentary seat in the upcoming state election due on 23 March, reports UNB.

She will contest a seat on New South Wales (NSW) Legislative Council, according to an Australian news portal. The NSW Council, often referred to as the upper house, is one of the two chambers in the New South Wales state parliament in Australia.

Born and brought up in Bangladesh, Sabrin studied in the University of Dhaka before flying to Sydney as an international student in 2004. She completed her masters from the University of New South Wales and PhD from the education faculty from the University of Sydney.

Sabrin received "Best Research Student Award" from Sydney University for her work on assessment and pedagogy in English as Foreign Language (EFL) context. As part of her research works, she highlighted various issues and solutions for the educational system in Bangladesh.

She worked as an academic in Sydney University before joining Australian public service. She worked for Australian Bureau of Statistics and Fair Work Commission. As an activist of Labor for Refugees, she advocates for an unequivocal policy for people seeking asylum and refuge. Sabrin believes that the settlement of refugees is a significant national and global issue.

As a catalyst for social change, Sabrin voluntarily works on women's development, empowerment and domestic or family violence intervention, prevention and awareness, UNB added.

Her vision is to facilitate a harmonious, multicultural Australia where all immigrants can be recognised as valuable contributors to the community and the economy and as integral part of the social fabric in Australia.