Craig Laundy (Reid, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to pay tribute to members of the Chinese and Korean communities within my electorate. Members of these communities have, over many years, made a magnificent contribution to our local area and during the last two years I have had the opportunity to become friends with many of them. They, like so many migrants to our country, have worked incredibly hard to provide the best possible opportunities for their families to prosper. Moreover, the rich cultural history that Chinese and Korean members of our community provide to my electorate is celebrated by all.

Sadly, I do need to note that members of my Chinese and Korean communities have expressed to me that great hurt has been caused to them by the visit last December to the Yasukuni Shrine by Japan's Prime Minister Abe. I join with members of my community in expressing the view that this visit should not have occurred. I warmly welcome the upcoming visit to China and Korea by Prime Minister Abbott, which will further strengthen ties between our countries, and I encourage local businesses to join the trade minister in China as part of this important delegation. Again, I thank the Korean and Chinese communities of my area for their ongoing wonderful contribution to our local area and I commit to providing a strong voice for them in this place.