There are a ton of South Asian candidates running for office this year, and SAARI is bringing you a guide to figure out who’s who.

Next up are Labor. We’ve identified 6 South Asian Labor candidates across the country.

Cassandra Fernando, Holt (VIC)

Born in Sri Lanka and moved to Australia in 1999 aged 11

Works as a pastry chef and advocate for essential workers

Represents workers in the retail and fast food industries, fighting to improve pay and conditions

Abi Kumar, La Trobe (VIC)

Grew up in India Lectured in chemical engineering and studied Information Technology

Worked for IBM as well as the Australian government in Canberra

Dr Michelle Ananda-Rajah, Higgins (VIC)

Infectious diseases expert and general physician

Has made multiple media appearances expressing her opinions and views on COVID-19 and vaccines

In favour of Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax over AstraZeneca

Surbhi Snowball, Flinders (VIC)

Grew up in Mauritius, India and Zimbabwe

Came to Australia at age 20 to study and graduated in banking and finance

She has worked in banks, on farms, and has run her own small businesses

Immanuel Selvaraj, Mitchell (NSW)

Has worked within the IT and digital industries for more than 25 years

Currently Senior Director of Solutions and Strategy for a US-based software company

In favour of government-subsidised education through universities and TAFEs

Zaneta Mascarenhas, Swan (WA)

Engineer working with mining companies to develop policies and practices to address climate change

Has previously called for an end to private school funding and private health insurance

Has expressed strong anti-war views 

Keep an eye out for our upcoming guide to South Asian independent candidates!

Maya Pilbrow is an Editor at SAARI Collective and the Media Manager for the quarterly literary journal The Suburban Review. You can connect with Maya on LinkedIn.