Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business (House)) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On behalf of federal Labor, I extend my best wishes to Jewish people in Australia and around the world on the occasion of Hanukkah. Hanukkah is a celebration of the powerful liberation story in which the Maccabeans freed the Jewish people from domination and rededicated the second temple in Jerusalem. Over eight days, families, friends and communities gather to celebrate. They sing Hanukkah songs, hold public candle-lighting events and, for the children, play the traditional Hanukkah game dreidel. The lighting of a candle on the menorah, an eight-branched candelabrum, each night commemorates the story of the oil lamp that burned for eight days despite only having enough oil to burn for one.

Hanukkah is a celebration of hope, freedom and victory. It's an opportunity for us to celebrate our shared values and be thankful for the strong bonds of unity we have formed as a modern multicultural country. As the candles are lit this season, I wish you all a happy and prosperous festival of lights.