Inside this Week
Lt Meera Hyderabad | Barry O'Farrell | NRI voice in India | 'Orange wave' | Housing anger | Say cheese, India
Just Wanted to Say
Wanted for the work. Unwanted in the numbers.
We’ve all seen the Australian Hotels Association ad this week – and probably shared it too. Clever, confronting, and a timely reminder of who keeps Australia running.
Amid the heated debate over migration cuts, here's an idea for a sequel.
Show us the languages, cultures and global connections migrants bring. The trade relationships they strengthen. The scientific breakthroughs they drive. The award-winning stories they tell.
Because migrants don't just staff our hospitals, hotels and restaurants.
They don't just help Australia function. They help Australia flourish.
Story of the Week
Barry O’Farrell believes Australia’s migration debate is aimed at the wrong target. The former NSW Premier and High Commissioner to India explains why housing is the real problem, and why student caps are ‘a dog whistle’.
In Other News
Imran Khan calls Mumbai home, but is legally a US citizen. His protest detention raises what nearly a million Indian-Australians wonder: how loud can an OCI holder be?
When it came to the issue of One Nation at a recent election forum in Melbourne, jaws collectively clenched. With the ‘orange wave’ surging into Melbourne’s outer suburbs, are the major parties moving fast enough to float?
Selected as this year’s ADF member of the Governor General’s XI, Lt Meera Hyderabad will don the green and gold for this evening’s clash against New Zealand at the Western Sydney Oval.
Housing anger is the hottest currency in politics, and challengers on the left and right are cashing in. Victoria’s up next, but can a rent freeze or migration crackdown build a single home?
Think India's cheese story ends at paneer? Try camel-milk halloumi in Rajasthan, 500-year-old smoky Bandel, and a humble Himalayan staple that just took world gold. The appetite is only getting bigger.
Shoutouts
Tarzon Budhathoki, Malavika Kadwadkar, Dr Mehwish Ghulam Ali, Dr Majid Naeem Gondal, Saleha Singh, who were all recognised at the Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence last night.
Sydney student Dhanya Vasanta, who won the Dame Marie Bashir Peace Prize 2026 in recognition of her community service and youth leadership.
Assam’s lawn bowler Putul Sonowal, who won India’s first medal at the World Bowls Champion of Champions in Barham, New South Wales.
Actor Vidya Balan, who has just been announced as Chief Guest of the inaugural Indian Film Festival of Perth (IFFP), slated for 22-24 January 2027.
Word on the Street
Can a protest be relocated without being diminished?
In last week’s poll on where readers get their news, 42.86% chose news websites, followed by social media at 28.57%. AI tools and TV/radio received 14.29% each, while friends and family got no vote (a huge setback for WhatsApp University). Journalism lives to see another week. We'll take it.
What’s On
The Prince of Bhangra, Sukhbir Singh, is coming to Sydney and if you know Oh Ho Ho Ho, you already know this night is going to be absolutely electric.
For more head to our What’s On page.
Say it Again
Repression of peaceful expression of dissent is also intolerable.
Until next week,
Indian Link
