00:00:07:03 - 00:00:36:06 Unknown Hello everyone. My name is Amad Kazi. And today I've been requested to speak about some of my experience in working as a campaign manager and within a branch of a of a political party. It's probably not an area with people may recognise me for, but usually my recognition, perhaps that some people will be at a community center 00:00:36:06 - 00:01:00:22 Unknown called UMMA Centre Doncaster Mosque. So I work as a volunteer at the mosque, currently part of the executive team, and leading that organisation. And so but you know, in life, you come across many experiences and adventures and you put your hand up. 00:01:00:23 - 00:01:15:04 Unknown So it was one of those things that I got involved. And yeah, so this is time to to, I guess, just share that experience and it might be beneficial for some or some might say it's not not for me, but that's OK. 00:01:16:07 - 00:01:27:14 Unknown If if people are wondering, is this for me? Should I, should I join and have a go? I guess, first of all, have a look at. Do you have the time to do it? It's really important at this stage of my life. 00:01:27:14 - 00:01:47:02 Unknown I've got young kids and I can't but at that time I had time and I had to go and it was a great experience, so don't feel shy about it. And what's the first step? Well, you know, obviously when the election comes up close by. Just reach out to your local member. 00:01:47:02 - 00:01:59:04 Unknown If you may have an interest in the party, you want to know about them, just step in to their office, make a phone call that first phone call, the first contact. Have a go at it. They will make you feel very comfortable. 00:02:00:16 - 00:02:16:24 Unknown They're always looking for talented people and take it as a as an experience. You know, don't think about what the outcome that you want, but just take it, soak it in as an experience. And yes, you'll meet a lot of people that you don't know. 00:02:17:00 - 00:02:41:00 Unknown And from community work, that's just how it is. But when you talk to anyone, really, you find there's a lot of similarities between people you meet So, yeah, don't don't be, don't be shy. I encourage people to to get into it, especially people from our diverse communities who perhaps may not be as represented or may feel that 00:02:41:00 - 00:03:04:03 Unknown they are not being heard or they feel like, you know what? What matters for them is not being being heard or understood. And maybe that might be very, very true because perhaps our representation is not in that in that equivalent percentage that we actually represent in the community. 00:03:04:13 - 00:03:23:24 Unknown So but it's only by involving and getting into it that you find that you can get your message across. And I think we the communities, the migrant communities, the very talented. So don't discount yourself that this is not for me. 00:03:23:24 - 00:03:40:15 Unknown And how will I do it? And you will find yourself when you have a go and you'll get into it, you'll find yourself that you know you can do anything really once you set your mind to it. So I encourage everyone to have a go. 00:03:41:17 - 00:04:02:20 Unknown So I think 1 aspect is people might say, Well, what's what's? What's in it for me? But then for the political parties, what's in it for them? And I think when we do see diverse communities in the political arena and especially when they then they end up making it, or even if they're not making it, but you 00:04:02:20 - 00:04:20:17 Unknown hear them through the process. It's really taken as a breath of fresh air because what they've experienced, others may not have experienced. And when you hear the journeys of people when they've come through and how the policies have impacted their lives. 00:04:21:05 - 00:04:44:19 Unknown And if by changing those policies, how it could have been a more joyful experience to to settle in Australia and growing here, it's only that realisation and understanding and hearing and having empathy of the other point of view that empathy really comes with passion. 00:04:44:20 - 00:05:05:16 Unknown And so I think if if you have a true story and that story needs to be heard, told shared, doesn't matter where it is, whether it might be in your branch meeting. That story might be shared just as a one on one and in one of those gatherings or with a member. 00:05:06:23 - 00:05:32:20 Unknown Or you might be a candidate, but it's your story and your story and how the the political settings or the policy settings impacted your experience and how can it be better? And if you can get that message across through that channel and we can make our political system more diverse, then I think it would be beneficial for 00:05:32:20 - 00:05:48:17 Unknown everyone because quite often we, you know, the less diverse the views are, the more polarised our policy settings is going to be. So it's the enrichment of of that contribution, irrespective of whatever the political parties are.