MELBOURNE, 13 March 2024: The Indian Diaspora, second fastest growing migrant group in Australia, faces disparity in representation in leadership roles in Victoria’s industry and politics, though their positive contribution is recognised in many areas.
Indian-origin people in Victoria are around 270,000, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The rather startling revelation comes in an Indian Diaspora survey released today by the Australia India Institute (AII) at the Investment Centre. The report a survey of 2,500 ‘Indian Origin’ people across Victoria, focuses on the Indian Diaspora as overseas Indian students, skilled migrants involvement in events, leadership during crisis, barriers in employment and representation in bodies, and travel.
The main takeaways of the report are:
– 2,500 Indian origin people surveyed
– Disparity is representation of Indian people in leadership roles in industry and politics
– 60% Indian international students are perceived as contributing positively
– 50% want more involvement in India and Indian events
-India is the second largest source of migrants
-The majority of Indian migrants are skilled
-Indians show leadership during crisis in the state
-The employment scenario favours Australian citizens
-Indian Diaspora is 40% of the country’s Indian Diaspora
-28% businesses do not hire Indians
-Travel to and fro India and doubled despite the high costs.
The report was today launched by Lisa Singh, CEO, AII in the presence of a large and select gathering of Indian community achievers, academics, Indian Consul General Dr. Sushil Kumar and those who helped in the state-wide survey.
“With the support of the Victorian government, our Indian diaspora networks have become a dynamic and enterprising part of the fabric of Victorian society,” Australia India Institute chief executive Lisa Singh said.
“Their roles in being gateways to greater opportunities for social and economic collaboration in Victoria are held in high regard.”
Yet, more than 80 per cent of the survey respondents reported the lack of visibility of Indian Australian authoritative figures in higher levels of state and federal policymaking, in universities, large corporations and peak industry bodies.
The report found people of Indian descent are bound by “glass ceilings” and other barriers to leadership roles, with interviewees commenting that most employment programs facilitate work pathways catered towards Australian citizens only.
“This landmark report on the Indian diaspora could not be more timely. We needed it to better understand this burgeoning part of the Victorian community and shape policy discussions to promote a more inclusive Victoria,” Lisa Singh said.
Others who spoke at the launch included Dr. Surjeet Dhanji, Mr. DD Saxena, Urvi Majumdar, Krushnadevsinh Ravalji (VMC Youth Commissioner) and Rob Holland.
People in Victoria born in India
