Michelle Rowland (Greenway, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Communications) Share this | Hansard source

Yesterday I had the great pleasure of joining the congregation of Mary Immaculate Parish in Quakers Hill to commemorate two very important milestones in Filipino history. The first was celebrating 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Philippines is now the fifth-largest Christian majority country in the world. Pope Francis recognised 16 March 1521 as the day on which Christianity was introduced to the Philippines, the day that Magellan had a mass said.

The other important milestone being celebrated this year is 75 years of Filipino-Australia diplomatic relations. The Philippines, as a close neighbour, is so important to Australia. It's also so important to Blacktown city. In fact, the statistic that is often quoted is that 75 per cent of all Filipinos in Australia live in Blacktown city. It has become a very popular place for people of Filipino heritage to settle. They're so welcome and they contribute so much.

I want to thank all the organisers and the priests involved, including Father Reggie and Father Oliver. Thank you so much for your hospitality, your lunch, your cultural program and your fellowship. Unfortunately, we couldn't do it last year, but it was great to be back this year. Mabuhay.

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