By Nandiinii Siingh
When I moved to Australia in 2023 to study law, I stepped into a new cultural and political climate. From Day 1, Newman College (University of Melbourne) became my home here – a collegial community defined by warmth, camaraderie, and shared growth. It’s where I continue to learn and grow, grounded by the varied life stories, talents, and generosity of those around me.
Fittingly, the first case I encountered in law school was Mabo v Queensland (1992) – a profound and powerful introduction not only to Australian law, but to this country’s evolving relationship with its history, land, and First Nations peoples. In that first week, I remember sharing a lunch table with Fr Frank Brennan – Jesuit priest, human rights lawyer, and then Rector of Newman College – and having the a-ha moment (later confirmed by Google) that former Chief Justice Brennan, author of the historic Mabo judgment, was his father. He graciously took the time to answer my questions and discuss the case’s era-defining impact – an early conversation that left a lasting impression.
Soon after, I watched as the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum unfolded. New to Australian legal and political life, I closely followed the debates, studied briefs and pamphlets, and attended info sessions with interest, despite not being a voter. I found the eventual failure of the referendum a sobering reflection of the complexities still at play in the national conversation.
And yet – yesterday brought something different. Watching the Australian federal election and discussing the dynamics at play with friends who voted, I felt keenly invested. Reflecting on takeaways from my Constitutional Law classes, I tuned into the policy discourse, political design, cafe conversations, and narratives shaping the electoral contest. A personal favourite is the mandatory voting system – coupled, of course, with the Democracy Sausage, a wholesome polling day tradition the world needs more of (see: https://lnkd.in/gNj69gQH).
When the pre-polls rolled in and re-elected Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged the country’s shared foundation of ‘fairness, equality, and respect for one another,’ it felt like a resounding reaffirmation of the nation’s core values – values I have experienced in abundance during these years of studying and working in Melbourne.
Against a fraught global political climate, what I saw in this election was a people choosing hope over fear, dialogue over division, reasoning over rhetoric. It reminded me that there is immense strength in citizens voting with conviction, conscience, and care for community. Having studied politics and worked in electoral campaigns, this election stood out to me as a moment of timely affirmation – not just for Australia, but for the kind of principled politics and thoughtful leadership the world so urgently needs.
I’m always inspired to see democracy in action 🎬🌭🗳️
Purely Dicta 