Anne Stanley (Werriwa, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There are lots of great things about representing my part of the world and the electorate of Werriwa, particularly the fact that it is such a diverse community and it celebrates new year almost all of the year. On 16 April I was humbled to attend the Lao Buddhist temple in Edensor Park to celebrate the Lao New Year, a traditional celebration marking the entry of the sun into the constellation of Aries. The celebration goes back thousands of years and is strong and rich in cultural and religious significance for the people of Laos. The tradition is celebrated by the community throughout the world, with over 10,000 Australians of Lao descent in Australia—more than half of whom live in my part of the world.

I'd like to thank the Australian South-East Asian Network for the invitation and hosting the wonderful and joyous event. I would especially like thank the Lao community for their amazing efforts in raising over $10,000 for flood victims of the devastating 2022 New South Wales floods. Events like this remind me of the strength of our community. As we celebrate the diversity of culture and the volunteers in my part of the world, it is just a wonderful place to live and work.