Speaking to SBS Punjabi, Jasvinder Sidhu said, "I'm very proud to have gotten this far. I'm the first Sikh candidate in Australia to get so close to preselection in a seat held by any major party, whether in state or federal politics."
When asked about the allegations about irregularities surrounding his not-for-profit organisation Lets Feed Inc, Mr Sidhu said, "These are completely false allegations. I'm open for any kind of enquiry, even a royal commission if needed, because nothing could be further from the truth."
But Consumer Affairs Victoria has confirmed to SBS Punjabi that it is "aware of concerns about possible fundraising activities of Let's Feed Inc" and is making relevant enquiries. (full statement below).
Labor party has a two-way contest for the seat of Tarneit, which was vacated when former speaker Telmo Languiller had to resign, after controversy surrounding expenses he had claimed.
Jasvinder Sidhu, who is one step closer to preselection for the safe Labor seat of Tarniet in Victoria Source: SBS Punjabi
In a recent vote held on October 22-23 amongst the local members in Tarneit, Mr Sidhu was clearly ahead.
"I polled 54 percent of the vote whereas Sarah Connolly won 46 percent. Now, it all depends on the vote by Labor Party's Public Office Selection Committee, which will meet on November 15 and cast the decisive vote on the winning candidate."
The person pre-selected on Nov 15, will be Labor's 2018 state election candidate for Tarneit, which Labor holds by a margin of over 14 percent.
It will indeed be historic for the Australian Indian community, if an India-born migrant goes on to be endorsed as the Labor candidate, because even though in the past, because as stated by Mr Sidhu,"Both major political parties have fielded many Indian-born candidates in state and federal elections, but almost every time, they stood from unwinnable seats."
But the seat of Tarneit has been dogged in controversy for a few years now. Apart from the allegations that arose against former Speaker of Victoria's state parliament Telmo Languiller, which eventually led to his resignation, another Indian origin candidate had expressed his interest in running for the safe Labor seat but became mired by controversy.
Councillor Intaj Khan's expression of interest to run as Labor candidate for Tarniet was made with opposition from within Labor party itself and eventually, he didn't nominate for preselection.
Jasvinder Sidhu himself has been been facing allegations for his not-for-profit organisation Lets Feed Inc. When asked about the allegation of collected funds being diverted into branch stacking for Labor party, Mr Sidhu denied it emphatically.
Jasvinder Sidhu in SBS Punjabi's Melbourne studios Source: SBS Punjabi
"There is no question of diversion of funds, or misuse of collection boxes. If any of your listeners wants to inspect the bank account for Lets Feed, please ask them to contact me. I will throw the books open for anyone to inspect."
When asked about the news report that Consumer Affairs Victoria was investigating the allegations made in parliament about diversion of funds pertaining to Lets Feed Inc, Mr Sidhu said, "Even I have heard that - but till now, Consumer Affairs Victoria has not contacted me. In fact I plan to contact them".
"I ask - why are these MPs using parliamentary privilege to smear me and Lets Feed? Why don't they come out and dare to speak in the open?"
Meanwhile SBS Punjabi has contacted Consumer Affairs Victoria and a spokesperson told us, "Consumer Affairs Victoria is responsible for administering the Fundraising Act 1998, including requirements in relation to the registration of fundraisers and the conduct of fundraising activities."
"Consumer Affairs Victoria is aware of concerns about possible fundraising activities of Let's Feed Inc, and has contacted the registered secretary of Let’s Feed Inc to notify them about the organisations obligations under the Act, and to make inquiries into any fundraising activities."
"It is not appropriate to comment further at this time, " the spokesperson added.
Mr Sidhu is however optimistic about the Public Office Selection Committee's vote that will take place on Wednesday, Nov 15. He has received endorsements from many Labor leaders in Victoria, adding "The time is right for Indian community to gain political representation in Australia. In fact Tarneit as an electorate, has the highest concentration of Indians living there, and previous elections have shown that the Indian community supports its candidates. That won't be lost on the POSC, " he told SBS Punjabi
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