Bangladeshi-origin Eliza Rahman becomes deputy mayor in Australia

Bangladeshi-origin councillor Eliza Azad Rahman has been elected deputy mayor of Camden Council in Sydney, becoming the first Bangladeshi woman to hold the position in Australia’s local government.

Rahman was elected by fellow councillors in a vote at the Camden Council chambers on Tuesday night (September 8).

Vince Ferreri was elected mayor at the same general meeting.

Her election has been welcomed by members of Australia’s Bangladeshi community, who hailed the appointment as a milestone for the country’s growing migrant population.

Bangladeshi community leaders congratulated Rahman following her election, saying her achievement would raise the profile of the community in Australia’s multicultural political landscape.

Rahmatullah, president of Press Bangla Media Australia, said Rahman’s success could encourage younger generations of Australians of Bangladeshi descent to become more involved in mainstream public life and politics.

Rahman’s appointment marks a notable step in the representation of Australia’s Bangladeshi community in local government.