Hon. Warren Kirby
Member of the NSW Legislative Assembly
and MP for Riverstone
Hon. Dr Parwinder Kaur
Member of the Legislative Council
Western Australia
Mr Brian Hayes
Kings Counsel & Former Chairmen,
Australia India Business Council
Hon. Charishma Kaliyanda
Member of the NSW Legislative Assembly
and MP for Liverpool
Hon. Jinson Charls
Northern Territory Minister for People, Sport & Culture; Arts;
Youth, Seniors & Equality; Multicultural Affairs; & Veterans
Mr Stephen Jenner
MPA [Motion Picture Association]
Vice President of Communication Asia Pacific
Hon Dr Parwinder Kaur is an award-winning scientist, advocate, and Member of Parliament, deeply committed to advancing science, community, and inclusive leadership. Her journey from the lab bench to the Western Australian Legislative Council—as a first-generation migrant, mother, and woman of colour—reflects her passion for innovation and transformative change. Elected in May 2025 as a Member of the Legislative Council for the Australian Labor Party, she brings a powerful voice for progress and inclusion.
Dr Kaur has received numerous accolades for her sustained contributions to science. Drawing on her expertise in biotechnology, she connects people with their environments in new and meaningful ways. Recognised with prestigious honours—including the Australian Academy of Sciences’ Science and Innovation Award (2013), Microsoft’s AI for Earth Award (2019), and induction into the Western Australia Women’s Hall of Fame (2023)—she champions diversity in STEM and evidence-based policy. She empowers people from all walks of life and age groups to see that individuals can drive change. As a Member of Parliament, professor of science, first generation migrant, and mother, Dr Kaur stands as an inspiring role model for the next generation of diverse scientists to pursue their passion for discovery, translation, and public service.
In her role as Deputy Chair of Committees, member of the Standing Committee on Environment and Public Affairs, and Member of the National Policy Forum of the Australian Labor Party, she continues to demonstrate her belief that science and service together can create a sustainable, equitable future for all. Her work embodies the spirit of storytelling that bridges nations, echoing the mission of NIFFA: to celebrate cultural connection and collaboration through the arts. Through her leadership, she demonstrates that science, culture, and service together can illuminate a more sustainable, inclusive, and imaginative future for Australia, India, and the world.
Admitted to Practice: 1971 Signed Bar Roll: 1984 Appointed Silk: 1986
Brian is a Kings Counsel with over fifty years’ experience in environmental, heritage, and land use planning and appellate advocacy, commercial, and public administration. He has, been involved as a principal in major reviews of environmental, heritage and land use planning, and other legislation and has acted as consultant to Federal, State and Local Governments on the drafting of environmental land use planning legislation and local government legislation. He has also advised three State Governments on the establishment of Planning and Environmental courts and the jurisdiction of such Courts.
In addition to his practice at the Senior bar, he is acknowledged internationally in building legal and justice capacity in developing countries including the Russian Federation Laos Vietnam Indonesia and India. He is the founder of the Legal and Justice Project Alliance. He is the former National Chairman of the Australia India Business Council and was the Premier of South Australia’s strategic advisor on India and the Special Envoy to India. In these roles, he has been active in building bilateral trade and business links with India.
Outside of the law, Brian has been involved in the film industry with credits as co producer of Hotel Mumbai and producer of Emotion is Dead. He is the Deputy Chair of the South Australian Film Corporation and Chair of the SA Advisory Council on Gambling.
Jinson Charls was appointed a Northern Territory minister in September 2024.
Holding ministerial portfolios for People, Sport and Culture; Disability; Arts; Youth, Seniors and Equality; Multicultural Affairs; Veterans, Mr Charls is a strong supporter of equality and diversity.
Born in Kerala, India, Mr Charls moved to Darwin in 2015. He is a strong supporter of multicultural affairs, and said that the connection between people, sport and culture and the arts, were important foundations of what made the Territory so special.
A father of two, Mr Charls is passionate about helping people and creating a safe and optimistic place to live, work and raise a family. He said that helping to strengthen social connections, supporting the local economy and working to improve health outcomes through community initiatives, and were all part of his mantra.
Prior to taking on his portfolio responsibilities, Mr Charls worked as a Registered Nurse specialising in mental health, alcohol and other drugs, emergency, and critical care. Mr Charls also held senior leadership roles in NT Health, including heading up Acute Care, Recovery and Rehabilitation Services, at the Top End Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Services.
Charishma Kaliyanda was raised, educated and has worked in southwest Sydney for most of her career. In 2023, she was elected as the first Indian-born Australian Member of Parliament for Liverpool.
She is the Parliamentary Secretary for Customer Service, Digital Government, Emergency Services and Youth Justice. In this capacity, Charishma supports Minister Jihad Dib to drive better service provision across these portfolios to deliver for every resident of NSW.
Before entering Parliament, Charishma worked as a registered Occupational Therapist working in the youth mental health sector.
Charishma believes in integrity and equity. She works for her community in Sydney’s south-western suburbs every day and is focused on ensuring that all people in her community have the opportunity to pursue their ambition of a better life for themselves and their families.
Charishma currently serves as a member of the board of the Whitlam Institute, which is a research and policy think tank, and prime ministerial public museum that commemorates and draws inspiration from the life and work of the Honourable Gough Whitlam AC QC, former Prime Minister of Australia.
Stephen Jenner is Vice President, Communications, of the Asia-Pacific Region for the Motion Picture Association, whose global mission is to advance and support the film, television and streaming content industry. Stephen manages all communications, public relations and educational outreach projects, with the objective of promoting and protecting the commercial and creative interests of the MPA’s represented studios and Asia’s screen communities.
Prior to his role with the MPA, Stephen worked as a special projects and communications consultant for screen industry associations throughout the Asia-Pacific region. He has also been involved in the film and television industry, both as a writer and producer for a number of television series, screen novelizations, short films, documentaries, and television commercials, winning the Australian Film Institute (AFI) Byron Kennedy Award in 2000 for establishing Inside Film Magazine and the Inside Film Awards.
Stephen has worked with large global media organizations, including Getty Images and image.net Ltd. in several senior Asia-Pacific roles. He held the position of Managing Director of Inside Film Magazine and Executive Producer Inside Film Awards from 1996 to 2001.
Stephen graduated from the University of Leicester in the UK with degrees in English and Philosophy.
Warren Kirby MP has been the State Member for Riverstone since 2023. Prior to entering Parliament, Warren was a local businessman and Vice President of the North West Business Chamber. He left his business to run for Parliament after watching the former Liberal Government neglect the infrastructure needs of the North West.
Since he was elected, Warren has worked with Premier Chris Minns to build a better community for the North West.