From Bricks to Brains: Securing Multi-Generational Wealth Under the 2026–27 Budget

Australian Indian Times
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From Bricks to Brains: Securing Multi-Generational Wealth Under the 2026–27 Budget

From Bricks to Brains: Securing Multi-Generational Wealth Under the 2026–27 Budget

The Australian Indian diaspora has arrived at a critical socioeconomic crossroads. For decades, our community’s formula for migration success has been predictable, honorable, and immensely effective. We worked tirelessly, established small businesses, protected our families through discretionary trusts, and poured every leftover dollar into established suburban brick-and-mortar real estate. This strategy transformed our diaspora into one of Australia’s greatest national economic assets.

However, the 2026–27 Federal Budget, handed down by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, represents an aggressive paradigm shift. By widening the deficit to $31.5 billion and introducing historic tax structural overhauls, the government has sent a clear message to all investors. The age of passive wealth accumulation through traditional residential property portfolios is being systematically dismantled.

As the publisher of The Australian Indian Times, my mandate to our community is urgent: we must evolve our financial strategies. To preserve our prosperity and build sustainable wealth for our children, we must pivot from a “property-first” mindset to an “enterprise-first” architecture.

Understanding Our Position: The Structural Disruption

The Indian diaspora is heavily exposed to the two areas most aggressively targeted by this budget: residential real estate and discretionary family trusts.
For years, subcontinental families used discretionary trusts to legally distribute income among multiple family members, protecting wealth and lowering tax exposure. The introduction of a flat 30% minimum tax rate at the trustee level starting 1 July 2028 severely blunts this tool.

Simultaneously, the abolition of negative gearing on established properties and the replacement of the 50% Capital Gains Tax (CGT) discount with an inflation indexation model paired with a 30% minimum tax floor completely rewrites the real estate playbook.
The new system exposes a significantly larger portion of capital gains to taxation. If our community continues to passively acquire old suburban homes, we will see our hard-earned wealth diluted by an aggressively extractive tax framework.

The New Playbook: Strategizing Future Growth

To win in this new economic environment, the diaspora must align its capital with the government’s explicit incentives. The state is actively rewarding those who take business risks, optimize corporate structures, and build new infrastructure.
1. Leverage Permanent Commercial Concessions

If you operate an independent business, a medical practice, or a logistics firm, look closely at the permanent extensions in this budget. The $20,000 instant asset write-off is now a permanent fixture of the tax code for businesses with an aggregate turnover under $10 million. Stop renting business infrastructure; use this permanency to purchase and fully depreciate technological assets, specialized machinery, and advanced equipment that drive your daily cash flow.

Furthermore, the permanent Loss Carry-Back Scheme allows companies to offset current tax losses against corporate taxes paid over the previous two years. This is an extraordinary safety net. It means our business owners should fear expansion less; if an aggressive market pivot or infrastructure investment results in a short-term paper loss, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will issue a cash refund from your previously paid taxes to stabilize your cash flow.

2. Pivot to Greenfield and Commercial Property

The ban on negative gearing applies strictly to established residential real estate. New residential builds remain completely exempt to stimulate housing supply.
For our community’s property enthusiasts, the strategy must change from buying established homes to participating in greenfield house-and-land packages, off-the-plan constructions, and joint-venture property developments. This not only preserves your negative gearing benefits but positions you as a builder of supply, immunizing your capital from the budget’s punitive property measures.

Empowering the Next Generation: Engineering True Wealth

The greatest asset of the Indian diaspora has never been our property deeds—it is our children. We have raised a highly educated, tech-literate, and civically engaged generation of young Australian-Indians. This budget provides the exact launchpad they need to build exponential wealth, provided we guide them correctly.

1. Direct Them Toward the Knowledge Economy
We must encourage our youth to look beyond secure corporate salaries and embrace the high-stakes world of technological innovation and intellectual property creation. The 2026–27 Budget introduces a structural Cash-Flow Lifeline for Young Startups, offering direct cash refunds for tax losses in a company’s first two years, capped at the FBT and PAYG withholding tax paid on employee wages.

This completely changes the risk profile of starting a company in Australia. Teach your children to use their software engineering, biotechnology, and data science degrees to build scalable platforms. The budget has effectively made the Australian government a financial backer of early-stage corporate payroll risk.

2. Fund Innovation Over Residential Deposits
As parents, our traditional instinct has been to hand our children a cash gift to help them secure a deposit on an overpriced suburban home. Under the new tax laws, this is a suboptimal allocation of capital.

Instead, consider acting as angel investors or venture capitalists for your children’s corporate ventures. Back their R&D initiatives, which now benefit from a highly restructured, streamlined Research and Development Tax Incentive (RDTI) that heavily rewards onshore IP manufacturing. Building a successful, scalable company that leverages corporate tax concessions will generate far greater multi-generational wealth than a heavily taxed property title ever will.

Moving Forward with Unity

The 2026–27 Federal Budget is not a crisis; it is an evolution. It marks the end of passive wealth and the dawn of the active entrepreneur. Our community possesses the grit, the global networks, and the intellectual capital to navigate this shift seamlessly. Let us stop looking backward at the tax loopholes of the past, and instead look forward to building the corporate, technological, and foundational industries that will define Australia’s economic future.

To review the exact legislative changes and economic data, visit the official Budget.gov.au portal.

SPECIAL REPORT: THE 2026–27 FEDERAL BUDGET

Australian Indian Times
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SPECIAL REPORT: THE 2026–27 FEDERAL BUDGET

SPECIAL REPORT:
THE 2026–27 FEDERAL BUDGET

FEDERAL BUDGET

A Structural Tax Shift: What the Federal Budget Means for Small Businesses, Investors, and the Indian-Australian Diaspora
The Albanese Government’s 2026–27 Federal Budget, handed down by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, represents one of the most significant architectural overhauls of the Australian tax system in over a generation. Facing a projected deficit of $31.5 billion and an unemployment rate ticked to rise to 4.5%, the government has delivered a complex economic blueprint designed to solve two competing crises: immediate cost-of-living pressures for working families and long-term structural supply blockages in the housing market.

For Australia’s vibrant, fast-growing Indian diaspora, a community deeply embedded in small business, retail, IT startups, and property investment, this budget is a mixed bag of historic opportunities and sharp legislative headwinds. The strategy is clear: the government is actively punishing passive wealth accumulation in established residential real estate and aggressively redirecting that private capital into commercial innovation, small business infrastructure, and high-tech startups.

The Indian-Australian community has long been the backbone of the nation’s small-to-medium enterprise (SME) economy. From independent grocery stores, logistics firms, and medical practices to engineering consultancies and franchise operations, subcontinental entrepreneurs are heavily exposed to shifting corporate regulations. For these operators, the budget brings long-awaited, highly predictable structural wins.
1. The Permanent $20,000 Instant Asset Write-Off
For years, small business owners have operated under a cloud of fiscal uncertainty, waiting every May to see if the government would extend temporary asset concessions. In a major policy victory, the $20,000 instant asset write-off has been made permanent for businesses with an aggregate annual turnover under $10 million.
This means restaurant owners upgrading commercial tandoors, logistics operators buying warehouse technology, or IT consultants upgrading server racks can immediately deduct the full cost of eligible equipment in the year of purchase. This structural permanence allows for predictable, multi-year capital expenditure planning rather than rushed end-of-financial-year buying sprees.
2. The Loss Carry-Back Lifeline
To further stimulate commercial activity, the budget introduces a permanent Loss Carry-Back Scheme for corporate entities with an annual turnover under $1 billion. If a family company experiences a tax loss in the current financial year due to aggressive expansion, heavy equipment purchasing, or unexpected economic downturns, they do not have to wait to offset it against future profits. Instead, they can carry that loss backward to claim a cash refund against company taxes paid in the previous two financial years. This provides an immediate, tangible cash-flow injection when a small company needs it most.

The Housing Tax Shake-Up: Property Investment Redefined
For decades, property investment has been the preferred vehicle for wealth creation within the Indian diaspora. Cultural familiarity with tangible real estate assets, combined with Australia’s historically generous tax concessions, has seen thousands of community members build extensive residential portfolios. The 2026–27 Budget fundamentally changes these rules of engagement.
1. The Death of Negative Gearing on Existing Builds
In the most politically charged reform of the budget night, the government has abolished negative gearing for all established residential properties purchased after budget night. Moving forward, individual landlords who buy existing homes cannot offset net rental losses against their personal salary or wage income.
However, the government has built a deliberate carrot-and-stick mechanism: new residential builds remain completely exempt. For Indian-Australian property developers and investors, the message is unequivocal: if you want to use tax concessions to underwrite your investment, you must contribute to net housing supply by funding new constructions, off-the-plan apartments, or greenfield house-and-land packages.
2. The Abolition of the 50% CGT Discount
Equally disruptive is the complete elimination of the traditional 50% Capital Gains Tax (CGT) discount from 1 July 2027. Under the legacy system, an investor who held a property or share portfolio for more than 12 months automatically halved their taxable capital gain upon sale.
The new regime replaces the blanket discount with an inflation-adjusted Indexation Model combined with a strict 30% minimum tax rate on net capital gains.
To understand how this alters investment math, consider a typical property portfolio transaction:
• The Setup: An investor purchases an established suburban investment property for $1,000,000.
• The Sale: After several years of steady capital growth, the property is sold for $1,500,000, netting a nominal profit of $500,000.
• The Inflation Factor: During the years the asset was held, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) cumulative inflation rose by 13.14%.

OLD CGT DISCOUNT SYSTEM:
Nominal Profit: $500,000
50% Discount Applied: -$250,000
Total Taxable Gain: $250,000 (Added to personal marginal tax bracket)

NEW INDEXATION & 30% MINIMUM TAX SYSTEM:
Original Purchase Price: $1,000,000
Plus 13.14% Inflation Adjustment: +$131,408
New Indexed Cost Base: $1,131,408
Real Taxable Profit ($1,500,000 – $1,131,408): $368,592
Minimum Tax Rate (Flat 30% on Gain): $110,577 minimum tax liability
Under the new system, the taxable portion of the gain jumps significantly ($368,592 compared to the old $250,000). While the indexation model protects investors from paying tax on artificial inflation-driven gains, the flat 30% minimum floor ensures high-wealth individuals cannot drop their effective tax obligations through creative accounting. This reform significantly reduces the long-term profitability of speculative, established residential real estate.

Discretionary Trusts and the “Philanthropy Trap”
Many migrant families utilize discretionary family trusts to manage family businesses, protect multi-generational assets, and split income legally among adult children or elderly parents who sit in lower tax brackets.
From 1 July 2028, all discretionary trusts will face a flat 30% minimum tax rate on taxable income at the trustee level. Crucially, there is no grandfathering for existing structures. For families who previously distributed trust income to university-aged children or retired relatives in zero-to-low income brackets, the trust structure will lose its primary tax-splitting utility, as a baseline 30% will be shaved off the top.
Furthermore, a significant legislative oversight has triggered alarm bells across non-profit sectors: the “Philanthropy Trap.” As currently written, the 30% minimum tax framework accidentally captures real capital gains on assets donated directly to registered charities or Deductible Gift Recipients (DGRs). Indian-Australian community groups, temple trusts, and cultural foundations that rely heavily on large, asset-backed philanthropic donations are currently lobbying the government to amend this clause before it stifles community giving.

Fuelling the Knowledge Economy: Tech Startups & R&D Incentives
Australia is experiencing a massive influx of subcontinental tech talent, founders, and venture capitalists, establishing a powerful corridor between Sydney, Melbourne, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. For the tech startup community, this budget provides major structural upgrades to fuel liquidity.
• The Startup Cash-Flow Lifeline: Starting in the 2028–29 financial year, early-stage, pre-revenue tech startups in their first two years of operation can receive direct cash refunds for tax losses. This refund is strategically tied and capped to the total amount of Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) and Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) withholding tax the company paid on employee wages. This effectively subsidizes the cost of keeping highly specialized software developers, data scientists, and engineers onshore during the critical pre-revenue build phase.
• Reshaping the RDTI: The Research and Development Tax Incentive (RDTI) has been sharply refocused. Concessions have been expanded for companies that actively manufacture or commercialize intellectual property locally within Australian borders. This represents a distinct policy pivot away from software businesses that outsource core engineering overseas, rewarding firms that keep intellectual talent grounded in Australia.

Cost-of-Living Micro-Relief for Working Families
For everyday wage earners, healthcare workers, and corporate professionals within the diaspora, the budget provides immediate, targeted financial relief to combat sticky inflation:
• Income Tax Adjustments: The income tax rate for individuals earning between $18,201 and $45,000 drops from 16% to 15% on 1 July 2026, falling further to 14% on 1 July 2027.
• The $250 Working Australians Tax Offset: Commencing in the 2027–28 income year, eligible workers will receive a direct $250 tax offset to lower their net tax liability.
• The Receipt less Deduction: From July 2026, workers can claim an instant $1,000 deduction for work-related expenses without the administrative burden of keeping receipts, simplifying tax season for millions of employees.

Divine Shiv Katha by Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan Enlightens Devotees in Sunnybank

Australian Indian Times
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Divine Shiv Katha by Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan Enlightens Devotees in Sunnybank

Divine Shiv Katha by Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan Enlightens Devotees in Sunnybank

 

Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan (DJJS), under the divine grace of Divya Guru Shri Ashutosh Maharaj Ji (Founder & Head, DJJS), organized Bhagwan Shiv Katha from 21st to 25th February 2026 in Sunnybank, Queensland, Australia. This five-day sacred Katha witnessed the presence of devotees and seekers from across the region, who gathered to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and immerse themselves in the divine knowledge of the holy scriptures.

Melodious devotional bhajans presented by the disciples of Gurudev filled the Katha venue with waves of devotion, creating a spiritual ambience that inspired listeners to absorb the profound teachings of the discourse.

The Katha was eloquently and soulfully narrated by Dr. Sarveshwar Ji (disciple of Divya Guru Shri Ashutosh Maharaj Ji). He beautifully presented the divine stories from the Shiv Mahapuran. Through Sanskrit shlokas, scriptural references, and engaging anecdotes, he unveiled the deeper spiritual meanings embedded in the life and symbols of Lord Shiva. In his discourses, he connected the teachings of ancient scriptures with the realities of modern life, highlighting their timeless relevance.

Presenting profound truths in a simple and graceful manner, Dr. Sarveshwar Ji explained the essence of devotion, self-realization, and inner transformation. He emphasized the importance of inner purification through bhakti and meditation. Explaining the symbolic significance of Lord Shiva’s form, he stated that Mahadev’s meditative posture represents inner stillness, while the third eye signifies awakened spiritual consciousness that destroys ignorance and illusion.

FASCA BNE Promotes Cultural Exchange at Lunar New Year Celebration

Australian Indian Times
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FASCA BNE Promotes Cultural Exchange at Lunar New Year Celebration

FASCA BNE Promotes Cultural Exchange at Lunar New Year Celebration

To celebrate the Lunar New Year, the FASCA BNE Chapter actively participated in the
“Lunar New Year Rooftop Party and Fireworks Show” held on the evening of 28 February 2026 at Sunnybank Plaza in Brisbane’s southside. The event brought together nearly a thousand community members from diverse cultural backgrounds to welcome the Year of the Horse in a vibrant and festive atmosphere.

Distinguished guests included Director Hsu Chun-Yung(Jone Hsu) of the Queensland Taiwan Centre, advisors Ms. Yang Shu-Chu(Susan Yang) and Mr. Lin Chi-Ping(Edward Lin), along with approximately 50 FASCA members and their families, who joined the celebration alongside the broader community.

The origami workshop under the guidance of advisors, students demonstrated and assisted visitors in creating origami figures representing the twelve zodiac animals. Through engaging, hands-on activities, participants of all ages and cultural backgrounds experienced the beauty of traditional origami art while learning about the symbolic meanings of the zodiac in Taiwanese culture, representing good fortune and blessings.

The booth attracted a steady stream of visitors and lively interaction throughout the evening. In addition to leading the workshop, FASCA members visited other cultural stalls and engaged with diverse community groups, reflecting a spirit of multicultural inclusion and exchange.

During the event, Director Hsu commended the students for confidently promoting culture on the front line and for actively connecting with the community. He encouraged them to continue sharing their enthusiasm and to help more people appreciate the richness and diversity of Taiwanese culture.

The evening featured a wide range of attractions, including Asian food and cultural stalls, traditional lion and dragon dance performances, family-friendly interactive games, and prize giveaways. A highlight of the night was the spectacular rooftop drone and fireworks show, where drones formed traditional zodiac patterns in the sky—perfectly complementing FASCA’s cultural theme and drawing admiration from attendees.

Through this Lunar New Year celebration, FASCA youth not only strengthened their teamwork skills but also deepened their engagement with the local community. Their efforts helped more Australians gain a deeper understanding of the cultural significance of the Lunar New Year.

Looking ahead, FASCA BNE will continue its mission to promote Taiwanese culture and foster international cultural exchange, ushering in a new year filled with hope and vitality.

Why Our Food Choices Matter More Than Ever

Australian Indian Times
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Why Our Food Choices Matter More Than Ever

Why Our Food Choices Matter More Than Ever

It has been rightly said that we are what we eat, because the kind of food that we eat has a direct impact on how we think and therefore it’s crucial to what we become finally. Recent studies made by modern medical science have suggested that the human body is not naturally designed to digest and assimilate non-vegetarian food.  That is why today most of the medical practitioners recommend a healthy vegetarian diet to their patients who are suffering from lifestyle disorders. Along with scientific studies, individual research made all over the world have also clearly pointed out that when an animal is killed for meat, it experiences fear, anxiety and pain.

Its hormonal secretions are then passed on to its consumers. Such a diet is therefore unhealthy both for the body and the mind. In many religions also, non-vegetarian diet is strictly forbidden not just because it causes pain and suffering to other living creatures but also because it is the source of vicious thoughts and attitudes to its consumers.

In other words, non-vegetarian food is a gateway to non-vegetarian lifestyle, a way of living where vices dwell comfortably. One must understand that human cruelty towards animals is nothing but a way of inviting cruelty on to self. Also, the current trend of mass consumption of flesh by human beings highlights the way we look at other living beings and our desire to subjugate them. It also represents our desire to tame nature to our will and to exploit it for our gains, thereby suggesting a belief system that justifies violence in the name of need and necessity.

It is so ironic that the largely meat-eating developed countries of the world have stringent laws when it comes to treating a pet and it is ensured that if the pet is hurt, the owner can even be imprisoned. However, in these very countries, millions of animals are killed every day for food and yet no one goes to jail. Isn’t it surprising that so many animal lovers continue to be non-vegetarians because they are unable to connect with the cruelty that goes behind, in the making of such food.

Even more surprising was a weird recommendation to find humane methods of animal slaughter made by some so-called animal sympathizers. But the contention here is what can be more inhuman than nourishing an animal to kill it one day. It is a breach of morality by all standards. What is more cruel than subjecting generations of animals to a life of stifling captivity that only leads them to a merciless end?

And what is more cruel than killing animals in front of each other. While one is bleeding to death, the other watches in horror and waits for its turn. It is a great pity that even sympathetic humans are left with such little kindness that all they can think of is designing a better way to kill.

It’s high time that all of us should ask ourselves a question: why does our conscience need a rational argument, sanctioned by a research institute in the west, to realize that killing other living creatures is a form of cruelty? Why do we need facts and figures to understand that cruelty can never be a bringer of any form of health – be it mind, body or the environment & bring peace and harmony in the world.

Can’t we realize that a heart that heaves no sigh at the sight of violence cannot be a source of compassion for other fellow men. So how do we expect people who do not nurture the feeling of kindness for other living beings to nurture feelings of brotherhood and forgiveness for their own community.

Aren’t we just walking on one path while seeking another’s destination? Just give it a thought and then decide whether to Kill or Heal. Learn to live above self when life is precious to all. Let there be the right to live for all & not just Human Right, then only world peace will descend.

By Rajyogi Brahma Kumar Nikunj Ji

SMSF Property Lending in Australia: What to Know Before You Apply

Australian Indian Times
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SMSF Property Lending in Australia: What to Know Before You Apply

SMSF Property Lending in Australia: What to Know Before You Apply

By Roshika Chand -Heirs & Legacy Co

Many Australians work hard for decades, contribute to Super throughout their working lives, and trust it will quietly build in the background. At some point, many begin asking deeper questions:
Could my Super be working differently?
Do I have more options than I realise?
Is property something my Super may be able to invest in?
For some individuals, a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) may offer a more hands-on approach to managing retirement savings. Depending on personal circumstances, an SMSF can invest in a range of assets, including property, subject to superannuation laws, fund rules and lender requirements.
Where borrowing is involved, the process is often more specialised than a standard home loan, which is why understanding the basics early can be valuable.

What Is an SMSF?

An SMSF is a private super fund managed by its trustees and regulated by the Australian Taxation Office.
Put simply, it means members take a more active role in managing their super.
That responsibility can include:
• maintaining compliance obligations
• keeping records
• ensuring the fund is run for retirement purposes
• following an investment strategy
• working with accountants, advisers and other professionals where needed
For some, that level of control is appealing. For others, a traditional super fund may remain more suitable.

Can an SMSF Borrow to Buy Property?
In some circumstances, yes.
An SMSF may be able to borrow to purchase an investment property through a structure commonly known as a Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement (LRBA).
This area is more specialised than regular lending, and lender policies can vary significantly. Not every lender offers SMSF loans, and requirements may differ depending on the borrower profile, property type and fund structure.
Is There a Minimum Balance Required?

There is no fixed ATO minimum balance required to establish an SMSF. Generally, most lenders require balances of $150,000 plus.
However, practical considerations often include:
• the fund balance
• accounting and audit costs
• legal setup costs
• loan costs (if borrowing)
• available cash buffers
• long-term plans for the fund

Some professionals may suggest higher balances depending on individual circumstances. This is best discussed with qualified advisers.

Four Important Facts About SMSF Property Lending
1. Not All Lenders Assess the Same Way
SMSF lending is a niche space. Deposit requirements, servicing methods and acceptable security properties can differ from lender to lender.
2. Property Rules Apply
There are restrictions around how SMSF-owned property can be used. For example, residential property is generally subject to rules involving members and related parties.
Professional legal and accounting guidance is important here.
3. Costs Extend Beyond the Property Price
Alongside normal purchase costs, SMSF borrowing may also involve:
• legal documentation
• trust setup costs
• lender fees
• accounting and audit fees
• ongoing administration expenses
4. The Right Property Is Only One Part of the Picture
Cash flow inside the fund, contribution strategy, rental income, vacancy risk and long-term goals can all be relevant.
Some borrowers explore properties with stronger income potential, such as dual-income dwellings on one title, subject to lender policy and legal suitability.
It highlights an important point: the property itself is only one part of the broader decision.
Why Some Clients Use a Mortgage Broker
A mortgage broker can help navigate the lending side of the process and save time comparing lender options.
This may include:
• identifying lenders active in SMSF lending
• explaining policy in clear language
• outlining likely documentation requirements
• coordinating with accountants or solicitors
• comparing available loan options
• guiding the process from enquiry through to settlement
With over 10 years of banking experience at the Big 4, including working closely with lending policy and credit processes, I support clients with clarity, care and a step-by-step approach.
I believe lending should feel informed, structured and personal not confusing or transactional.
Before You Proceed
Many people choose to speak with relevant professionals about:
• whether an SMSF suits their circumstances
• tax implications
• trustee responsibilities
• retirement planning considerations
• estate planning
• risks and borrowing costs

Final Word
SMSF property lending can offer opportunities for some borrowers, but it also comes with responsibilities and complexity.
Understanding the rules, costs and lending requirements early can help you ask better questions and make informed decisions.
This article contains general information only and does not consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not financial, tax, legal or credit advice. You should seek independent professional advice before making decisions regarding superannuation or property purchases.
If you would like to understand the lending process or explore available SMSF loan pathways, contact Roshika at Heirs & Legacy Co.
English and Hindi spoken.
www.heirsandlegacyco.com.au
Book an appointment or call to chat further.
Structure Lending. Build Wealth. Design Legacy.

FINDING PEACE IN A BUSY WORLD

Australian Indian Times
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FINDING PEACE IN A BUSY WORLD

FINDING PEACE IN A BUSY WORLD

Dear reader, it is with much joy that we bring you the word of God. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Between work, family responsibilities, and constant distractions, many people are searching for peace—but often in the wrong places. The Bible gently reminds us where true peace is found. In John 14:27, Jesus says:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

This verse highlights an important truth: the peace Jesus offers is different from what the world provides. It is not dependent on circumstances, success, or comfort. Instead, it is a deep, steady calm that comes from trusting God.
Another powerful reminder is found in Philippians 4:6-7:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

This passage teaches us a practical step: bring our worries to God in prayer. Rather than carrying stress alone, we are invited to hand it over to Him.

Here are 3 lessons we can learn about true peace.

1. True peace doesn’t come from a perfect life, but from trusting God in imperfect situations. This is beautifully illustrated in the story of Jesus Calms the Storm (Mark 4:35–41). While the disciples panicked in the middle of a violent storm, Jesus was asleep in the boat. Even in chaos, He was at peace. When they woke Him, He calmed the storm with a word. The storm didn’t disappear because the disciples were in control—it calmed because Jesus was present. Likewise, our peace comes not from controlling life, but from trusting the One who does.

2. Prayer is not just a ritual—it’s a powerful way to release anxiety.
This is clearly seen in the life of Hannah (1 Samuel 1:9–18). Hannah was deeply distressed because she could not have children. Instead of bottling up her pain, she poured out her heart to God in prayer. After praying, Scripture notes that “her face was no longer downcast.”
Her situation didn’t immediately change—but her heart did. Prayer shifted her burden onto God, bringing emotional relief and renewed hope.

3. Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what God has already provided.
This is powerfully demonstrated in the story of the Feeding of the 5000 (Matthew 14:13–21). Faced with a huge crowd and very little food, Jesus didn’t focus on scarcity. Instead, He gave thanks for the small amount available—and God multiplied it to feed thousands. Gratitude precedes provision. When we thank God for what we have, it changes our perspective and opens the door for God to work in ways we may not expect.

Finally, these stories remind us that God meets us in real-life situations—storms, sorrow, and scarcity. Through trust, prayer, and gratitude, we experience His peace more deeply, right where we are. Peace isn’t something we have to chase—it’s something we can receive.

God bless you.
Ps Suresh Dass Joseph

Don’t Be A Calamity

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Don’t Be A Calamity

Don’t Be A Calamity

THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON HOW WELL YOU MANAGE YOUR BODY, MIND AND EMOTION, YOUR SITUATIONS, YOUR LIFE IN GENERAL AND THE WORLD. IF YOU LOOK AT HOW MANY MOMENTS OF HAPPINESS YOU EXPERIENCED EVERY DAY WHEN YOU WERE FIVE YEARS OF AGE, AND HOW MANY MOMENTS YOU EXPERIENCE TODAY, IS THAT NUMBER MOVING UP OR DOWN? FOR MOST PEOPLE, IT GOES DOWN WITH AGE. THAT MEANS YOU ARE A BAD MANAGER. BECAUSE, AFTER ALL, EVERYTHING YOU DO IN YOUR LIFE IS IN PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.

Sadhguru: Generally, we think of management only in terms of economic situations, not life as a whole. But fundamentally, life is management. The quality of your life depends on how well you manage your body, mind and emotion, your situations, your life in general and the world. If you look at how many moments of happiness you experienced every day when you were five years of age, and how many moments you experience today, is that number moving up or down? For most people, it goes down with age.
That means you are a bad manager. Because, after all, everything you do in your life is in pursuit of happiness. You educate yourself, you pursue careers, you build families or you run after your ambitions, you do so many things because you believe fulfilling those things will bring you happiness. After doing all that, if happiness is going down instead of multiplying, that means you are a bad manager of yourself.
If anyone who does not know how to manage his own body, mind, emotions and energies is managing situations around him, he is only managing them by accident not by intent. When you manage situations by accident, you are a potential calamity. Anxiety becomes a natural part of your life.

Fundamentally, management means we want to decide the course of our destiny. You want to have a certain kind of situation, both inward and outward. Today, in the process of managing a situation, we are destroying human beings.

This kind of management is no good. After all, the basic intent of every management is human wellbeing. If management is for human wellbeing, it is not only about producing something or making profit. People should rise to their full potential, not just in terms of work, but as human beings. If people work together, they should be able to rise to the peak of their love, peace and compassion within themselves.
If this kind of management has to happen, where you and the people around you rise to their peak, then you have to spend a certain amount of time in focusing on your inner management. If this does not happen, you will only manage situations by accident.
Ranked amongst the fifty most influential people in India, Sadhguru is a Yogi, mystic, visionary and a New York Times bestselling author.
Sadhguru has been conferred the Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India in 2017, the highest annual civilian award, accorded for exceptional and distinguished service. He is also the founder of the world’s largest people’s movement, Conscious Planet– Save Soil, which has touched over 4 billion people.

 

 

Australia–Taiwan Relations Forum 2026 Highlights Shared Responsibility for Indo-Pacific Security and Stability

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Australia–Taiwan Relations Forum 2026 Highlights Shared Responsibility for Indo-Pacific Security and Stability

Australia–Taiwan Relations Forum 2026 Highlights Shared Responsibility for Indo-Pacific Security and Stability

The Australia–Taiwan Relations Forum 2026, hosted by the Australia Taiwan Culture Foundation Ltd. (ATCF), was held on 17 April at the Queensland Parliament House. Under the theme “Shared Responsibility: Security, Resilience, and Regional Stability — Perspectives from Australia and Taiwan,” the forum brought together leaders from government, academia, and industry to engage in in-depth discussions on the evolving Indo-Pacific landscape and Australia–Taiwan cooperation. The event was met with strong interest and active participation.

The forum took place against the backdrop of the Australian Government’s announcement of a record AUD 425 billion defence investment over the next decade, aimed at responding to an increasingly complex regional security environment and potential threats from neighbouring hostile actors. This development underscored the urgency and relevance of the forum’s discussions, with participants recognising that safeguarding regional stability is a shared responsibility among democratic partners.

The event opened with welcome remarks by Ms Phyllis Lo, President of ATCF, followed by a recorded message from The Hon Jon Krause MP, Deputy Speaker of the Queensland Parliament, expressing strong support for the forum. In his opening address, Director-General William Fan of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Brisbane emphasised the shared democratic values between Australia and Taiwan and their joint responsibility for regional stability.

He called for greater international inclusion of Taiwan, urging support for its participation in the World Health Organization (WHO), and highlighted the critical link between peace in the Taiwan Strait and global supply chain security. He also noted Taiwan’s leading position in the global semiconductor industry and the potential for its accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to strengthen economic resilience across the Indo-Pacific.

The keynote address was delivered by Major General (Ret’d) Michael Ryan AM, who provided a strategic assessment of the evolving Indo-Pacific security environment. Drawing on his concept of “Confronting Complacency,” he warned that prolonged periods of relative stability can lead to underestimation of risk and delayed preparedness.

He emphasised the importance of proactive risk recognition, adaptive capability development, and closer cooperation among like-minded partners to enhance regional resilience. The forum’s panel discussion was moderated by Professor Caitlin Byrne AM FAIIA, Pro Vice Chancellor (Business) at Griffith University. Panellists included Michael Ryan, The Hon Shayne Neumann MP, Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, and Mr Warwick Penrose, CEO of EPE Group.

The discussion addressed a range of issues including regional security architecture, supply chain resilience, democratic cooperation, and the future trajectory of Australia–Taiwan relations. The forum attracted strong participation from diplomats and consular representatives, elected officials from federal, state, and local governments, think tank experts, academics, multicultural community representatives, and Taiwanese community leaders from Brisbane and Sydney.

The Q&A session was highly engaged, with participants actively contributing questions and perspectives. Discussions extended to Taiwan’s participation in the WHO and its bid to join the CPTPP. Due to time constraints, the session concluded despite continued interest, reflecting the high level of engagement. The forum was convened and facilitated throughout by Mr Edward Lin, CEO of ATCF.

ATCF will continue to advance high-level dialogue platforms to deepen Australia–Taiwan cooperation across security, economic, and cultural domains, contributing to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Bhagavad Gita Chapters 16 & 17

Australian Indian Times
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Bhagavad Gita Chapters 16 & 17

Bhagavad Gita Chapters 16 & 17

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16

Daivasur-Sampad-Vibhag Yog – The Yog of the Distinction between the Divine and Devilish Endowments

Shree Bhagavan Krishna said:
1. Fearlessness, purity of being, perseverance in the yog of knowledge, charity, self-restraint, sacrifice, study of sacred texts or introspection, austerity and uprightness;

2. Nonviolence, truth, absence of anger, relinquishment, serenity, aversion to fault-finding, compassion to living beings, freedom from covetousness, gentleness, modesty and absence of fickleness;

3. Vigour, forgiveness, fortitude, cleanliness, freedom from malice and excessive pride; O Bharat Arjun, these are the endowments of those who are born with a divine nature.

4. Pompousness, arrogance, vanity, anger, harshness and ignorance are the traits of those born with devilish nature, O Parth Arjun.

5. It is thought that the divine endowments lead to deliverance and the devilish to bondage. O Pandav Arjun, do not grieve. You are born with divine endowments.

6. There are two types of created being in this world, the divine and the devilish. The divine has been explained at length. Now hear from me O Parth Arjun, about the devilish.

7. The devilish people do not know about the method of engagement in action nor about the way of withdrawal from it. Neither cleanliness, nor proper conduct nor truth is found in them.

8. They declare that the world is unreal, without a basis and without a God, not created in regular causal sequence. How else? But by the union of sexes caused by desire and nothing else.

9. Holding this view, these people of lost souls, weak intelligence, and vile and cruel action come into existence as enemies bent on the destruction of the world.

10. Taking refuge in insatiable desires, filled with hypocrisy, pride and arrogance, and holding false notions due to their delusion, they act with unclean intentions.

11. Clinging to immeasurable worries that would only end with their death, and firmly convinced that the gratification of desires is the highest goal;

12. Bound by a hundred snares of hope, given over to lust and anger, they seek to amass wealth by unjust means for gratification of their desires.

13. This has been acquired by me today. I shall attain this wish. It is mine and this wealth also shall be mine.

14. This enemy has been slain by me and others too I shall slay. I am the lord; I am the enjoyer. I am successful, mighty and happy.

15. I am wealthy and high-born. Who else is equal to me? I shall perform a sacrifice. I shall give charity and I shall rejoice. Thus, they are deluded by ignorance.

16. Confused by numerous thoughts, enveloped in a net of delusion, and addicted to the gratification of desires, they fall down into a filthy hell.

17. Self-conceited, stubborn, filled with pride and arrogance of wealth, they perform sacrifices only in name with ostentation and without regard to rules.

18. Given to egotism, force, pride, desire and anger, these malicious people despise me in their own as well as in others’ bodies.

19. I constantly hurl these cruel haters, the worst of human beings, into demonic wombs in the vicious cycle of rebirth.

20. Fallen into the demonical wombs in birth after birth, these deluded beings do not attain me, O Kaunteya Arjun. From there they sink further down to lower state.

21. Desire, anger and greed are the three gates leading to this hell. They are destructive to the self and hence one should abandon these three.
22. O Kaunteya Arjun, those who are released from these three gates to darkness and do what is the best for their self, attain the supreme goal.

23. The one who acts under the impulse of desire, casting aside the injunction of the scripture, does not attain accomplishment, nor happiness nor the supreme goal.

24. Therefore, let the scripture be your authority for determining what is to be done and what is not to be done. Knowing the prescribed scriptural injunction, you should perform your prescribed duty here in this world.

Thus ends the sixteenth chapter, entitled Daivasur-Sampad-Vibhag Yog – The Yog of the Distinction between the Divine and Devilish Endowments containing the discourse between Shree Krishna and Arjun in the Upanishad called the Bhagavad Gita, the science of Brahm, the scripture of Yog.

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17

Shraddha-Tray-Vibhag Yog – The Yog of the Distinction of the Three Kinds of Faith

Arjun said:
1. O Krishna, what is the position of those who forsake the injunctions of scriptures but perform sacrifices with faith? Is it sattva, rajas, or tamas?

Shree Bhagavan Krishna said:
2. The faith of embodied beings is of three kinds, known as sattviki, rajasi and tamasi, all born of their inherent nature. Now hear about them.

3. O Bharat Arjun, faith of all humans takes the form of their essential nature. Humans are made of their faith. What their faith is, that verily they are.

4. The sattvik people worship the gods and the rajasi ones venerate yakshas and demons. The tamasi people worship ghosts and other hordes of nature spirits.

5. Those who are filled with deceit and arrogance, and impelled by the force of desire and passion, perform atrocious austerities, which are not prescribed by the scriptures.

6. They mindlessly torture a host of elements within their body and also me residing in the body. Know these to be demoniac in their resolve.

7. Even the food which is dear to all is of three kinds. So are the sacrifices, austerities and gifts. Hear now the distinction between them.

8. The foods that promote life, virtue, strength, health, happiness and satiety, and which are juicy, smooth, nourishing and agreeable are dear to the sattvik people.

9. The foods that are bitter, sour, salty, excessively hot, pungent, harsh and burning are desired by the rajasi people. Such foods cause pain, grief and disease.

10. The foods, which are stale, tasteless, putrid and left over, rejected and not fit for offering in sacrifice, are dear to the tamasi people.

11. The sacrifice, which is performed according to the prescribed procedure by those who do not desire any reward from it and believe it to be their duty, is sattvik.

12. But the sacrifice that is performed with an expectation of reward or for the purpose of ostentation, O Baharat-shrestha Arjun, know that to be rajasi.

13. The sacrifice which is not in conformity with the prescribed procedure, in which food is not distributed, sacred hymns are not chanted, fees to presiding priests are not paid and which is devoid of faith, is regarded as tamasi.

14. Worship of the gods, the twice-born, teachers and the wise; cleanliness, uprightness, continence and non-violence, these are called austerities of the body.

15. The utterance of words that do not cause distress, which is truthful, pleasant and beneficial, and practice in the recitation of sacred texts, these are called austerities of speech.

16. Peace of mind, gentleness, silence, self-restraint, purity of being, these are called austerities of the mind.

17. This threefold austerity practiced with the utmost faith by steadfast people without any expectation of reward is regarded as sattvik.

18. Austerity which is practiced with arrogance in order to gain honour, respect and reverence is declared to be rajasi in this world. It is unstable and transient.

19. Austerity which is practiced with foolish obsession by means of self-torture or with the aim of causing injury to others is declared to be tamasi.

20. The gift which is given as a matter of duty to a worthy person who has not performed a prior favour, and at the proper place and time, is held to be sattvik.

21. The gift which is given grudgingly with the aim of receiving a favour in return or with the expectation of future gain, is remembered as rajasi.

22. The gift which is given at the wrong place and time, to an unworthy person without paying respect or with contempt is declared to be tamasi.

23. “Om Tat Sat” this is considered to be the threefold designation of Brahm. By this the Brahmins, the Veds and the sacrifices were ordained in ancient times.

24. Therefore, the exponents of Brahm always start the acts of sacrifice, gift and austerity by uttering the syllable ‘Om’ in the beginning as prescribed in the scriptures.

25. Those who desire liberation, perform various kinds of sacrifice, austerity and acts of giving without desiring fruits of their action with the utterance of syllable ‘Tat’.

26. The term ‘Sat’ is employed in the sense of reality and goodness. O Parth Arjun, the word ‘Sat’ is also used for praiseworthy action.

27. Steadfastness in sacrifice, austerity and giving charity is also called ‘Sat’, and actions relating to these are likewise proclaimed as ‘Sat’.

28. Whatever oblation is offered, whatever austerity is performed, whatever rite is observed, O Parth Arjun, without faith, is called ‘Asat’. It counts for nothing in the hereafter or here in this world.

Thus ends the seventeenth chapter, entitled Shraddha-Tray-Vibhag Yog – The Yog of the Distinction of the Three Kinds of Faith containing the discourse between Shree Krishna and Arjun in the Upanishad called the Bhagavad Gita, the science of Brahm, the scripture of Yog.

—Awadhesh Sharma
www.hinduguru.com.au

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