House debates

Monday, 12 February 2024

Statements by Members

Swan Electorate: Lunar New Year

4:43 pm

Photo of Zaneta MascarenhasZaneta Mascarenhas (Swan, Australian Labor Party) Share 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.

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