Australia: Indian-Origin Daniel Mookhey Sworn In As Tresurer, Takes Oath On Bhagavad Gita

As he took his oath of allegiance on the revered Bhagavad Gita, Daniel Mookhey became the first politician of Indian descent to hold the position of Treasurer in any Australian state.

Indian-origin Daniel Mookhey took oath on the Bhagavad Gita

Source : Twitter

Daniel Mookhey is the first Indian-origin politician to be appointed Treasurer of any Australian state. On Tuesday, Mookhey, a Hindu, took his oath of allegiance on the holy Bhagavad Gita. According to The Australia Today, he was sworn in alongside New South Wales Premier Chris Minns and six other ministers. Sworn in as Treasurer of the wonderful state of New South Wales.

"Sworn in as Treasurer of the great state of New South Wales. Thank you to the people of New South Wales for entrusting us with this honour and privilege "In a statement, the 39-year-old stated.

"I am incredibly honoured and humbled to be the first Australian Minister, state or federal, to take my oath of allegiance on the basis of the Bhagavad Gita. This is only possible because Australia is so open and welcoming to the contributions of people like my parents, who I was thinking about a lot earlier today as I took my oath," he added.

Daniel Mookhey was elected by Labour to replace Steve Whan in the New South Wales upper house in 2015, making him the state's first politician of Indian origin.

With Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, Charishma Kaliyanda, who was elected from Liverpool, Gurmesh Singh of the Nationals, who was re-elected from Coffs Harbour, and Deputy Premier Pru Car, who is also of Indian descent, the new NSW Parliament will have the highest number of members of Indian descent ever.

About Daniel Mookhey: 

According to reports, Mookhey's parents moved from Punjab to Australia in 1973.

Mookhey, who was born in the Blacktown suburb, has three university degrees and has previously worked as a consultant to unions, charities, and community groups, according to Australia Today.

Australia now has over 680,000 Hindus, making Hinduism the country's third-largest religion, the report added. 

(With Inputs From Agencies)