Adam Bandt (Melbourne, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

To all Melburnians and Australians who today are celebrating the arrival of the Year of the Monkey, I say: happy lunar new year. Chuc mung nam moi. Kung hei fat choy. Xin nian kuai le. I extend my very best wishes to all Melburnians for a warm celebration and for time spent together with loved ones.

To the Vietnamese and Chinese communities in Melbourne, I say thank you for all that you have done for our city. People come from all over the world to visit Melbourne and part of the reason is its multicultural character and the contribution of the Chinese and Vietnamese communities. I cannot imagine Melbourne without the contribution of these communities.

My electorate is home to some of the biggest new year celebrations and festivals in Australia, including the Victoria Street festival, which goes from strength to strength thanks to the outstanding work of its organisers—RABA, the Richmond Asian Business Association. I was delighted to attend, yet again, that event this year. All of us can learn from you.

The Vietnamese and Chinese communities in my electorate of Melbourne are ones where people look after each other, particularly older people in the community. I have been inspired to see older members of the community living in public housing in Fitzroy, Richmond and Collingwood, coming together and sharing celebrations together and offering a welcome space for all.

I particularly want to acknowledge the work of the Australian Vietnamese Women's Association, which has gone from strength to strength, and also the Fitzroy Chinese Tenants Association. I say: happy lunar new year. My warmest wishes for a happy Year of the Monkey.