Welcome to the Dr Khalil Mustapha hall.  Now, I know that these are the longest days of the year, which is why I’m so glad that they put the first course down right away.

 I know you’re hungry, and I promise to be brief.

I want to thank the members of our councils who are here today, as well as our members of parliament , and all those serving across government who are joining us.  And I especially want to recognize all the inspiring young people who are here today, many of whom We shared many celebrations with.  To all of you, and to Muslim Australians across the country -- Ramadan Kareem.  

Our annual LCC  Iftar recognizes the sacredness of Ramadan to more than 1.5 billion Muslims around the world.  It’s a time when Muslims recommit themselves to their faith, following days of discipline with nights of gratitude for the gifts that God gave us.  It’s a time of spiritual renewal and a reminder of one’s duty to our fellow man -- to serve one another and lift up the less fortunate.  The Quran teaches that God’s children should tread gently upon the earth and, when confronted by ignorance, reply “peace.”  In honoring these familiar values together -- of peace and charity and forgiveness -- we affirm that, whatever our faith, we’re all one family.      

Our Iftar is also a reminder of the freedoms that bind us together as Australians, including the freedom of religion -- that inviolable right to practice our faiths freely.  

When our values are threatened, we come together as one  community.  When  Muslim s In NZ were brutally murdered in Mosques  earlier this year, Australians and New Zealanders  of all faiths rallied around that community.  And obviously, tonight, our prayers remain with Them. 

As  Australians, we insist that nobody should be targeted because of who they are, or what they look like, who they love, how they worship.  We stand united against these hateful acts.

    

These are the freedoms and the ideals, and the values that we uphold.  And it’s more important than ever, because around the world and here at home, there are those who seek to divide us by religion or race or sect.  Here in Australia, many people personally don’t know someone who is Muslim.  They mostly hear about Muslims in the news -- and that can obviously lead to a very distorted view.

So tonight, we keep in our prayers those who are suffering around the world, including those marking Ramadan in areas of conflict and deprivation and hunger.  

  

So these challenges around the world and here at home demand the very qualities you summon every day during Ramadan:  sacrifice, discipline, patience.  A resilience that says we don’t simply endure, but we overcome.  Together, we can overcome ignorance and prejudice.  Together, we will overcome conflict and injustice -- not just with words, but with deeds.  With what  the civil rights icon John Lewis, calls using our feet -- getting out in the real world to organize and to create the change that we seek.  That’s what so many of you do every single day.  And that’s what we have to continue to do together, here in Australia and around the world.  As the Quran teaches, let us answer with “Peace.” 

May God bless you all.  Have a wonderful Ramadan.  And get back to dinner.  Thank you very much.

HONOURED TO BE ELECTED ASSISTANT PRESIDENT

After the election of the President and Deputy President in the Legislative Council, nominations for the position of Assistant President were opened today with two nominations received.  A ballot was held and the NSW Legislative Council Opposition Whip Shaoquett Moselmane was elected.

The newly elected Assistant President thanked his Labor Party colleagues for their support and expressed gratitude to the other Legislative Council members for their vote of confidence.

Mr Moselmane said that he looked forward to working with the President and the Deputy President and the Clerks to ensure that together they would best serve the needs of the Chamber and Parliament in an impartial and independent manner.

Mr Moselmane said: “I am truly honoured to be endorsed by the full Labor caucus. I am humbled by the support of the House and my colleague’s vote of confidence.”

“I intend to use this position to promote the Parliament among our Multicultural and Indigenous communities and liaise with colleagues and staff to ensure there is an active engagement plan with the wider community, industry and local government.”

 In being elected as the Assistant President, Mr Moselmane said his office salary will increase by $11,554. After tax and other levies, he would receive around $6000 net a year. Mr Moselmane will annually donate $1000 to each of the following groups and charities:

 1. The Redfern Women’s and Girls Emergency Centre.

2.  The Fred Hollows Foundation.

3. Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA.

4. Kids-On-Wheels Alliance Inc. Charity helping disabled children.

5. Konin Village Medical Centre.

6. Edhi foundation Australia.

Ramadan Mubarak.