Daniel Mookhey: Indian origin MP takes oath on Gita in Australia

Canberra, May 12: An Indian origin lawmaker on Tuesday became first in Australia to take oath on Gita in the parliament, media reported.

Originally from the Indian state of Punjab, Daniel Mookhey was chosen by the Labor party to fill the casual vacancy created by Steve Whan's unsuccessful tilt at a Lower House seat in the March election.

"It's an incredible honour and I'm humbled to be the first Australian politician to take his oath of allegiance on the Gita," Mookhey said, Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

"My story is only possible because Australia is so open and so welcoming to the contributions of people like my parents, and I'm thinking a lot about them today as I take my oath."

"I'm really proud to sort of be using it today as a mark of respect to the people that have helped me get to where I've gotten today, and I'm really very pleased and humbled by the opportunity."

Mookhey said he hopes his time in the NSW Upper House is spent productively.

OneIndia News