Monique Ryan (Kooyong, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As the Lunar New Year approaches, families and communities across Kooyong are coming together to share meals, enjoy lanterns and lion dances and celebrate renewal. This year we welcome the Year of the Fire Horse, a rare and powerful symbol that appears only once every 60 years. The horse represents strength, movement and determination, and fire brings passion, resilience and transformation.

These values resonate strongly with many in our Chinese communities, people who've made an extraordinary contribution to Australia's multicultural story. From business and education to the arts, community organisations and public life, Chinese Australians have helped shape the open, dynamic country that we are today.

At a time when voices of division can sometimes feel louder than those promoting understanding, celebrations like Lunar New Year are ever more important. They remind us that diversity is a source of strength and that we share common values of respect, hard work, care for family and hope for the future. I wish all in Kooyong a happy, healthy and prosperous Lunar New Year: xinnian kuaile; gongxi facai.