House debates
Monday, 12 February 2024
Statements by Members
Swan Electorate: Lunar New Year
4:43 pm
Zaneta Mascarenhas (Swan, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Gongxi gongxi. On the weekend, my wonderful community of Swan joined millions of people around the world to celebrate Lunar New Year. It's a festival full of colour and festivity—fireworks, family, fun and, of course, food. Dragon and lion dances, roving mascots and drumming performances made it loud, colourful and exciting. I also love that it's a celebration of our cultural diversity and a celebration of the rich tapestry of Chinese culture that makes Australia so unique—and other South-East Asian countries that celebrate the Lunar New Year—paying tribute to answers and exchanging gifts, including the traditional red envelopes filled with prosperity or money.
In my community it was a celebration not to be missed, whether it was dining in the acclaimed fine dining restaurant strip in Victoria Park or visiting the six-metre-high wishing tree illuminated by lanterns and vibrant light projections at Crown Perth. It was a weekend not to be missed. The best news is it's not over yet. The town of Victoria Park will present the Lunar New Year night market, featuring a light show, Chinese folk, swing and pop dancing, and lion dancers.
Finally, I say 'gong xi fa cai', or 'May you have a prosperous life', or, as comedian Ronny Chieng says, 'Hope you get rich!'—which is what the Albanese Labor government are doing with our tax cuts.
Terry Young (Longman, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members' statements has concluded.