According to the 2021 Census, over 780,000 Australians claim Indian ancestry – and increasingly, they’re not just casting votes, but standing for them. Indian-origin candidates 2025
Some fifty Indian-origin candidates nationwide have thrown their hat in for the Federal election this year, in a trend that has come to the fore in recent elections at both state and local levels. Twelve of these are contesting for the Senate (in the 40 Senate seats that are going to election this year).
While many represent major parties like Labor, Liberal and the Greens – and a fair share are running as Independents – what’s interesting is the presence of Indian and South Asian heritage candidates from smaller, even fringe, parties: the Animal Justice Party, Family First, One Nation, the Libertarian Party, the Australian Christian Party, Trumpet of Patriots, Australia’s Voice, and the Jacqui Lambie Network.
It’s a vivid reflection of the diverse ways in which Indian-Australians are engaging with politics.
This political emergence is visible across electorates, in all the demographic ratings of Inner Metropolitan, Outer Metropolitan, Provincial and even Rural – particularly in seats with growing multicultural populations, but not exclusively so.
The candidates range the full gamut also as first-time candidates, repeat candidates, and returning representatives.
There’s large diversity in age, faith, professions and migration journeys.
The candidates each have strong local credentials – from small business to healthcare, law, and activism – and so have the potential to bridge between mainstream Australia and their multicultural constituencies.
A Growing Political Voice
The rise of South Asian – particularly Indian-origin – candidates in Australian politics reflects a broader shift in the nation’s political and cultural landscape. As one of the fastest-growing migrant communities in Australia, Indian-Australians have been slowly but surely asserting their presence not just socially and economically, but politically as well.
They are known to be savvy voters, for their high turnout as well as for their keen understanding of how policies affect their day-to-day lives – from skilled migration pathways to education and small business support. It is not surprising therefore, to see political parties reach out to them in significant ways, whether physically at community events or through tailored messaging in platforms such as Indian Link.
But the presence of so many candidates this election speaks to something more than just targeted outreach. It marks a generational and cultural shift – a sign of deepening political participation, driven by values rooted both in Australian civic life and in the political instinct many migrants bring from the subcontinent, where politics is often part of everyday life.
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Why now?
The motivations behind this rise are varied – driven by a mix of generational change, grassroots community involvement, and a deep-rooted political awareness carried over from the subcontinent.
The inspiration is also global as well local.The past five years have seen role models emerge in places previously unimagined. Seeing Indian-origin leaders thrive on the world stage (think Rishi Sunak in the UK, Kamala Harris in the US), as well as here in our own backyard (Dave Sharma, Daniel Mookhey, Charishma Kaliyanda, Gurmesh Singh in NSW; Michelle Ananda-Rajah, Roshena Campbell, Alex Bhathal in VIC, and Varun Ghosh and Zaneta Mascarenhas in WA) – reinforces the idea that representation at the highest levels is not out of reach. Indian-origin candidates 2025
These leaders, having broken through significant barriers, offer a powerful message to aspiring candidates: representation is not just possible, but necessary.
Not just for “the Community”
As minorities in a multicultural society, you might expect political participation to be motivated by wanting a seat at the table to protect in-group interests – to voice concerns and shape policy that reflect own realities. But if our interviews at Indian Link are anything to go by, their priorities are far broader.
Community-specific issues like immigration, education, or multicultural support are not exactly top of the list. From climate action to cost-of-living, from youth empowerment to national security, their campaigns are focused on the everyday concerns of all Australians.
Their identities may be shaped by a rich cultural heritage, but their visions are unequivocally national. Indian-origin candidates 2025
Nildhara Gadani, ALP (Goldstein VIC)
I’ve seen firsthand how important strong public services, affordable healthcare, quality education, and good jobs are to our community. The ALP stands for these values. [I want to help] strengthen Medicare, tackle housing affordability, and build a clean energy future.
Ponraj K Pandi, GRN (Gellibrand VIC)
I see the impact of inequality every day – in housing, healthcare, education, and the environment. It’s time we had representatives who live our values – integrity, fairness, and a commitment to climate and social justice. Indian-origin candidates 2025
Mira D’Silva, LIB (Lalor VIC)
It wasn’t politics that pushed me to run – it was purpose. When crime starts affecting your street, families can’t keep up with rising bills, and when hope feels distant, something needs to change. [I want a society] where communities are safe, housing is within reach, and hard work is genuinely rewarded.
Loki Sangarya, GRN (Scullin VIC)
I’m disillusioned by the Liberals’ climate denial and Labor’s support for new fossil fuel projects despite scientific warnings.
Kuljeet Kaur Robinson, ONP (Monash VIC)
I stand for small business owners, farmers, retirees and hardworking families who increasingly feel their voices are not being heard. One Nation supports practical, common-sense policies, secure borders, the preservation of our national identity, and the restoration of integrity within government.
Ashok Tewatia, IND (Burt WA)
I didn’t come into this as a career move. I’ve felt what it’s like to be overlooked by policies that seem to serve political interests more than the public good. Indian-origin candidates 2025
Samantha Ratnam, GRN (Wills VIC)
Politics is about choices. We can choose to reform the housing market, make big corporations pay their fair share of tax and use it to fund world class health, education and public services. We can choose to take on the supermarkets and end their price gouging. We can do so much more to end the invasion and occupation of Gaza and end military exports to Israel. We can stop more coal and gas and tackle the climate crisis.
Rohan Laxmanalal, AJP (Chifley NSW)
I believe politics should be driven by compassion and evidence-based solutions. I’ve seen how people, animals, and the environment are often left behind in political decisions. I [want] to give voice to the voiceless and push for smart, fair, and future-focused policies – especially around food, health, climate, and mental wellbeing.
While many candidates are contesting in seats dominated by strong frontrunners, a few standout races are worth watching:
- ALP’s Ash Ambihaipahar (Barton NSW) in a safe Labor seat held by Linda Burney since 2016 and now retiring.
- ALP’s Zaneta Mascarenhas (Swan WA), and Senators Michelle Ananda-Rajah (VIC) and Varun Ghosh (WA), to see if they will be returning.
At a time when parties are eager to reflect Australia’s diversity and appeal to growing migrant communities, the rise of candidates from migrant background reflects – and reinforces – the new integrative realities of modern Australia.
Read more: From posts to polls: Social media and Australian election
