Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visits Hindu temple in Labor heartland for Holi

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been welcomed with an honoured guard and large crowds as he arrives in the Labor heartland of Sydney’s west to celebrate the Hindu festivals of Holi and Fuldol.

The PM joined revellers at the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha temple in Kemps Creeks for the famed festival of colour, known for the throwing of vibrant, coloured powders and its deep spiritual significance.

Mr Albanese was also joined Indian guru and spiritual leader of the BAPS movement, Mahant Swami Maharaj, at the site, which opened in 2025 and is the largest traditional stone temple in the country.

It comes days after Mr Albanese promised $1bn to deliver rail connections between Leppington and Bradfield, the “missing link” connecting the new Western Sydney airport to the city’s southwest.

Kemps Creek straddles the Labor-held seats of McMahon, which is held by Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen who also attended Saturday’s event, and Werriwa which is held by Anne Stanley.

Indian Australians are becoming an increasingly important demographic for both major parties, with India the third most common place of birth after Australia according to the 2022 census.

Holi, one of the Hindu religions largest annual occasions, is celebrated widely across India and Nepal, and is most well known for large celebrations involving the throwing of brightly coloured powders.