Australian Minister Optimistic About Bangladesh's Bright Future

Visiting Australian home affairs minister and Leader of the House of Australia Tony Burke today said his government is confident about Bangladesh’s efforts to mend the past and build a brighter future through effective reforms. Burke, who is also minister for arts, cyber security, immigration and multicultural affairs, made the remark in a bilateral meeting with foreign adviser Md Touhid Hossain at the foreign ministry here.

During the meeting, the foreign adviser described the background and spirit of the students-led mass upsurge led to installation of the present Interim Government, and apprised him of the reform initiatives taken for materializing the aspirations of the people, especially the young generation.

Burke mentioned that the Bangladeshi community in Australia and in particular in his electorate had strong support for the student-led movement in Bangladesh. The Australian home minister underscored the need for promoting safe and regular migration from Bangladeshis to Australia and containing irregular movement.

Touhid agreed with his position and stressed on effective initiatives from both the sides for facilitating regular migration. The Foreign Advisor thanked Tony Burke MP for extending his support and cooperation to the Bangladeshi diasporas in Australia.  He said Bangladesh is keen to work with Australia for promoting growing bilateral trade, enhanced student enrolment in Australian institutions. 

Both sides highlighted the burgeoning presence of Bangladeshi IT experts in the Australian outsourcing sector. Foreign Advisor acknowledged Australia’s continued moral and material contributions to the Rohingya population sheltered in Bangladesh and called for enhanced pressure from international community on Myanmar for a sustainable solution of the crisis. 

‘Only solution to the problem is the return of Rohingyas to their homeland in a safe environment. If not addressed, it could trigger problem with implication for the wider region and by extension for the world,” he said. Bangladesh High Commissioner to Australia M. Allama Siddiki and DG (East Asia & Pacific) Mohammed Nore-Alam were present during the meeting.