Labor Party candidate has roots in Hoshiarpur

HOSHIARPUR: As Hoshiarpur celebrates the accomplishment of its latest poster boy Manmohan -Prime Minister designate; a Harnmohan is making big news in Australia.
Harmohan Singh Walia, who grew up in the streets of the city has become the first ever Australian Indian to be endorsed unanimously as the Australian Labor Party (ALP) candidate for the Federal seat of Mitchell, near Sydney in Australia.Australia goes to polls somewhere in August-September a date yet to be finalized.
Popularly known as Harry Walia, Harry while speaking to TNN over the phone from Australia said he is hoping to get support from the Indian community that constitutes about 5 per cent of the voters and as well as from other Asian communities that include Pakistanis, Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis and others. He said his candidature for Mitchell was announced on the 12th May and his campaign manager would be appointed soon.
Mitchell constituency covers an area of approximately 182 sq km from Northmead and Baulkham Hills in the south to O''Hara''s Creek between Maraylya and Kenthurst in the north. It has over 90,000 voters, says Harmohan.
A professional in Environmental and Quality Engineering, Harmohan migrated to Australia in 1991 along with wife Manbeen, daughter Kanchan and son Inder Mohan. Harmohan is presently working with Tristar Steering and Suspension Australia Limited in Marrickville (Sydney) and stays at Kellyville, a suburb of Sydney.
Prior to migrating, he worked with Escorts Limited Patiala and Jai Springs Yamuna Nagar. Harnmohan completed his degree in Mechanical Engineering from Guru Nanak Engineering College, Ludhiana in 1973 and Post-graduation in Industrial Engineering from Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Patiala in 1987.
Regarding his tryst with politics? Harmohan was the Olympic torchbearer at the 2002 Sydney Olympics. He has been a familiar voice on SBS radio (Punjabi), General Secretary of the Australian Sikh Association Inc and ALP candidate for the Local Government Elections at Baulkham Hills Shire Council''s North Ward in March 2004.
Harmohan is contesting against sitting federal MP Alan Cadman of Liberal Party, the party that has been in power for three consecutive terms.
And for Harmohan''s manifesto? He wants to have increased federal funding for more Child Care Centers, Age Care and health. Harry says, he''s a strong candidate to get the people of Mitchell more funding for rail and rural roads.