MR PALANI THEVAR LABOR FOR MAIWAR

Palanichamy (Palani) O. Thevar is first and foremost a loving husband and father of three Brisbane-born children. However, he is so much more than that, filling vital roles in the community and the government.Since 2004, he has been an active member of the Queensland Labor Party and has contributed significantly to the party and its policies.

Currently, Palani is the Deputy Convenor of Queensland Multicultural Labor – the only party to have a multicultural division. Most importantly, he is the Labor candidate for Maiwar in the upcoming State Election. His extensive experience and ongoing focus has and will always be local communities, with particular interest in issues impacting people and their environment. During previous campaigns, Palani assisted in the success of two Premier candidates over four elections, including the memorable 2007 Federal Labor Government.

Over the past 21 years, Palani has been involved in Labor union movements and is presently the elected Conference Delegate for Together Union. He is also working with Queensland Health as a Social Worker with a significant amount of experience in Disability Services. During natural disasters in Brisbane and North Queensland he has even extended himself as a Trauma Counsellor for the victims during those crises.

Furthermore, he has worked for a decade as a Justice of the Peace and his extensive work has included involvement in various communities and organisations that has led to close relationships with all Australians. This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and all the multicultural communities in South East Queensland especially the Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland, of which he was elected president. He is also the Secretary for the United Nations Association of Australia – Queensland Division.

Palani has been part of some of the most challenging and successful Labor campaigns across council, state and federal levels. He is dedicated and committed to Labor values, with good public speaking skills and great public relations. The responsibility of Maiwar and its communities do not rest lightly on his shoulders, particularly during such hard times which is why he believes he is suitable to help Maiwar in this crisis.

Palani will play a significant role in Queensland Labor’s ‘Unite and Recover’ strategy. The focus will be initially on infrastructure, creating immediate opportunities in the construction areas as well as a variety of industries once these projects are completed. In Maiwar, infrastructure projects include a new school which will create both construction and education jobs, as well as relieving schools with classes that are at full capacity. Not only will Palani and the Queensland Labor Team be providing upgrades to Auchenflower train station but increase the frequency of services which means improving services across South East Queensland in general.

Ultimately, Palani’s passion has always been for interaction with communities and encouraging their involvement in public issues. The kinds of communities and organisations Palani has worked in share the values that align with Labor: those of multiculturalism, the United Nations, unions and the greater benefit of the community. Furthermore, Palani has been directly involved in a significant amount of capacities with the Labor Party and has a passion for improving the lives of those around him. This is the kind of person Labor values and believes should represent Maiwar as part of the State Government’s ongoing mission to create a better Queensland.