MELBOURNE
Until the last Australian federal election, only one Member of Parliament of Goan heritage sat in Canberra. Following this year’s election on Saturday, that number has doubled”with representation now spanning both sides of the political aisle.
Zaneta Mascarenhas, the Labour MP for Swan in Western Australia, has retained her seat. Joining her is political newcomer Leon Rebello of the Liberal National Party, who has held onto the LNP stronghold of McPherson on Queensland’s Gold Coast.
Rebello’s parents, Valeriano and Liddy, are first-generation Australians who migrated from Verna in South Goa. Leon, however, was born in Canberra and steps into the role vacated by outgoing MP Karen Andrews, who represented McPherson since 2010 and retired from politics, passing the baton to Rebello.
A lawyer with experience across both the public and private sectors, Rebello says his Goan heritage has deeply influenced his values.
“An incredible Portuguese-Indian blend, the Goan identity has, through my parents, helped shape my values and convictions,” he said.
“I see Goan culture as entirely complementary with Australian culture. We are hardworking and believe in reward for effort. We value the importance of the family unit and we are business-minded”particularly in small and family business.
“I’ve said in the past that I’ve won two lotteries in life: the first to be born in Australia, and the second to be born to my parents. I am very proud of my Goan heritage. My parents represent the culmination of Goan work ethic and Australian aspiration.”
Meanwhile, Zaneta Mascarenhas has been re-elected in a landslide. As of 9:45 pm on election night, with 38 per cent of the vote counted, she had secured an estimated 66.3 per cent of the two-candidate preferred vote”well ahead of Liberal challenger Mic Fels, who trailed with 33.7 per cent.
Mascarenhas achieved a swing of nearly six per cent in her favour, a notable result following the 12-point swing she earned in the 2022 election.
The mother-of-two and qualified engineer made history in 2022 as the first person of Goan origin to be elected to Australia’s House of Representatives. Though born in Australia, Mascarenhas traces her family roots back to Goa.
With Rebello’s victory in McPherson and Mascarenhas strengthening her hold on Swan, Goan Australians now have two voices in federal parliament”each representing a different vision for the country, yet united by a shared heritage.
