Press Release
 

APSL MEMBERS JOIN LABOR FRIENDS LAUNCH

 
By Ms. Evelyn A. Opilas
APSL Public Relations Officer
Sydney-Australia
July 23, 2012





SYDNEY – “Let me be direct about it. Labor needs friends these days.”
 
And to the delight of his audience, Federal Member for McMahon and Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Chris Bowen MP launched Filipino Friends of Labor at Sydney Town Hall during the recent Australian Labor Party State conference.
 


 
Dorothy del Villar, Lucas Cayanan Jr and Neil Galang of the Australia Philippines Services League (APSL) were among the Filipino Friends of Labor working party present on the day.
 
APSL encourages its members to pursue interests that engage Australian mainstream activities.
 
Minister Bowen recalled his links with the Filipino community, citing his friendship with the late Claro Cruz as a factor in his entry into the political arena.
 


 
Other speakers included Member for Chifley Ed Husic MP, Member for Greenway Michelle Rowlands MP, Blacktown City Emeritus Mayor Cr Charlie Lowles, NSW Labor Secretary General Sam Dastyari and Philippine-Australian Economic Partnership founding member Clive Troy, who all reaffirmed the positive contribution of Filipinos in Australia.


 
Convenor Bobby Lastica provided a glimpse of Filipino participation in the ALP, citing former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam’s 1974 visit to the Philippines as paving the way for Filipino migration to Australia.


 
Sydney Town Hall’s The Vault overflowed with Filipino Friends of Labor members and observers, prompting Ms Rowlands to quip, “We need a bigger place next time”.
 
 

 

 

Munting Nayon News Magazine