Dai Le (Fowler, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, too, stand to acknowledge the upcoming lunar new year festival in my community in Fowler, and it's great to hear that the member for Chisholm is also celebrating this very significant cultural event. The lunar new year is significant to communities in my electorate for those of Vietnamese, Chinese and Korean heritage. This year, as the member of Chisholm said, is the year of the wood dragon, which is an auspicious sign for those marking the lunar new year.

As we welcome the lunar new year, I want to dispel the misconception is solely a Chinese celebration. It's not just 'Chinese new year'. It's, in fact, a communal celebration that intertwines the diverse fabrics of our community. I want to acknowledge my local council, Fairfield City Council and Liverpool City Council, who will be putting on amazing and fantastic lunar new year celebrations, as usual, in the coming weeks, which they do annually. These significant celebrations draw thousands of locals and visitors, infusing our local economy with renewed vibrancy. Organisations such as the Australian Chinese Buddhist Society, the Vietnamese Community in Australia NSW Chapter, the Phuoc Hue Temple and many more will be preparing to welcome the year of the dragon in the coming weeks.

I really encourage and welcome any visit to my community from members here in the House. Fowler is a living testament to the beauty of unity and diversity, and each cultural celebration is a new chapter of our shared story.