Dave Sharma doesn't appear to have done anything special for Australia. Yes 100 for HSC then some Arts undergraduate and graduate degrees. It indicates perhaps that that he had the money and resources to get a Masters degree. At least he appears to have integrated a little and perhaps has loyalty with Australian culture by having an apparently ethnically Angelo wife- something that many Indians immigrants do not- not sure how this translates within the family. Terrence Teo has shown more consistent world excellence perhaps- but maybe both came from families that pushed their children- something we should do with our own children- rather than trying to pick winners from foreign cultures- we should be creating our own excellence- by having systems and processes that breed it- and having world class teachers.

Academic qualifications, while desirable for anyone, have no relevance to politics. There is no training, no exams, to test the ability of wannabe politicians. It's pick someone who might appeal to the voters and hope for the best if he or she gets elected. Mr. Sharma's schooling etc is no different from that of millions of other people, and has nothing to do with the topic.

Sharma of course is just a variant spelling of that famous Anglo-Saxon name Sharman or Sherman (as in General Sherman of the United States). When Britain colonised India, the surname was adopted there by some Indians either to advance in the British world, (or because their dad was a Brit named Sharman).

Don't believe this? It's more credible than many of ttbn's posts.

The point, however, is that we shouldn't jump to conclusions about what is an truly anglo name. Having an anglo name doesn't mean you are of English descent; having a non-anglo name doesn't mean you have no English ancestry. In any case many of us of strictly anglo-saxon-celtic descent have biblical names which are definitely not of anglo origin - hi all you Barnabys, Johns, Marys, Annes and Johnsons and Davidsons etc. out there.

David Sharma's entire career has been involved in
politics. He's held so many high ranking positions both
in Australia and overseas - from advising people like
Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer, to being
appointed to the Australian Embassy in Washington DC, to
being - the head of the International Division of the
Prime Minister and Cabinet, advising Prime Ministers,
and many other positions -
including Ambassador to Israel.

He's fluent in several languages, has
several degrees but most importantly has acquired
skills that make
for a very successful political career - such as initiative, leadership,
drive, negotiating ability, willingness to take risks,
and persuasiveness - as can be seen from the positions
that he's held over the years.

It's no wonder that he was the choice of the Liberal
Party for Wentworth.

According to the Census the seat of Wentworth covers some
of the wealthiest suburbs in Australia and has the highest
proportion of high income families of all seats in
Australia.

The electorate
has a wide mix of people, more educated, and
socially progressive, so it's no wonder that the Liberal
Party's choice
was David Sharma. He ticks all the boxes - without a doubt.

He's definitely not a Fraser Anning type, - but someone like
Fraser Anning would not have had a chance in Wentworth.
He'd simply be out of his depth in the prestigious
electorate of Wentworth. Whereas David Sharma is an exact fit.

Thanks Cossomby for reminding us about names
and their origins.

What's in a name? Apparently for some - a great
deal.

Until the origins are checked.

But Foxy, his name is not "British" enough for some. Would he do better if he changed his name to Horatio Hornblower?

Maybe they prefer the Greens candidate Dominic (Darugland Boondi Boondi) Wy Kanak. The forums usual suspects will love HIM, he's a HIM for starters, but it goes down hill from there. Dominic has been an Indigenous boondiboondi Bondi Ward Waverley Greens Councillor since September 1999, a local BOY I stress BOY so the lads wont get the wrong idea that he's a shelia or worse. He has been Co-Chairperson of Waverley Council's, MULTICULTURAL Advisory Committee and Mayor's Nominee and Chairman of the Eastern Region Local Government ABORIGINAL TORRES STRAIT ISLANDERS Forum. Nah, I don't think so, not their kinda bloke.