Miranda MP Eleni Petinos has opened up about her Greek heritage and her family’s hopes for a new life moving to Australia.

In the recent cabinet reshuffle, she was named as the Minister for Small Business and Fair Trading.

Her father emigrated to Australia when he was young and she said she’s aware of their sacrifices and hardship along the way.

“Ray, I couldn’t be here without my family,” she said.

“My family migrated here for a better opportunity and to have a start at a new life, and that must have taken the most enormous courage to just pick up and leave another country with very little to your name.

“But they did and they came here hoping there would be more. It’s those decisions and those sacrifices that they made along the way, like moving in with more than one family under a small roof in Surry Hills, as it was for dad’s family.

“All of the grandparents worked very hard, long hours.”

Press PLAY below to hear more about her family’s story

Image: MP Eleni Petinos with her parents, Marianna and Alexander