Matters of Interest

Chinese Lunar New Year

The Hon. J.S. LEE (15:29): I would like first to convey to honourable members and staff of the Legislative Council a very happy and prosperous Lunar New Year: Xin-Nian-Kwai-Ler in Mandarin, Gong Hey Fatt Choy in Cantonese, and Chuc Mung Nam Moi to the Hon. Tung Ngo. It is indeed my great pleasure to rise today to speak about the Lunar New Year of the Sheep, Goat or Ram. There seems to be some confusion out there as to which zodiac animal this year is supposed to be. Well, all three of them would be correct; goats, sheep and rams are all considered to be one family under the Chinese zodiac.

The Lunar New Year is the most important festival in China and for Chinese people living overseas around the world. The United Nations estimated that world population exceeded 7 billion in 2011. The population of China is approximately 1.3 billion people, and people of Chinese origin currently constitute one of the largest overseas populations in the world. The Han Chinese constitute over 19 per cent of the global population, and the world's most-spoken first language is Mandarin Chinese, which is spoken by 12.4 per cent of the world's population. When you look at these numbers you can imagine the magnitude of Lunar New Year festivities that are being embraced by communities around the world. The two largest communities celebrating the Lunar New Year in South Australia are the Chinese, who commonly refer to it as the Spring Festival, and the Vietnamese, who know it as the Tet Festival.

In the 1950s Australia was famously riding on the sheep's back, and for that reason I like to refer to this year as the Year of the Sheep. The first day of the Lunar New Year of the Sheep started on Thursday 19 February. It is usually celebrated over 15 days; however, due to the active and vibrant Chinese, Vietnamese and Asian communities in South Australia it has been stretched over a lot longer period of seven weeks.

I wish to extend my gratitude to all the Chinese, Vietnamese and other Asian associations who continue to organise wonderful Lunar New Year events with the South Australian community. These events highlight the importance of culture and tradition, and their efforts to foster a very strong multicultural presence in our state. My deep appreciation goes to:

the Australian Chinese Medical Association of South Australia;

the Chinatown Association of South Australia, which actually organised three functions: a street party during the day, a street party/banquet dinner at night, and His Excellency the Governor also hosted a cocktail party at Government House;

the China Business Network of South Australia;

the Chinese Welfare Services;

the Malaysia Club of South Australia;

the South Australian Zhu-Lin Buddhist Association;

the Overseas Chinese Association (His Excellency the Chinese Ambassador Mr Ma Zhaoxu and Mrs Ma were actually here in Adelaide celebrating the New Year festivities);

the South Australian Xinjiang Association ;

interuniversity Chinese students associations;

the Hong Kong ABA and the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office (HKETO);

International Student Entrepreneurship Capital;

the South Australian Oceania Federation of Chinese organisations from Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos;

the Vietnamese Farmers Association of South Australia;

the Vietnamese Community in Australia/South Australia Chapter;

the UniSA Australian Centre for Asian Business and the Hawke Centre (I did a book launch with them, and also had a Chinese New Year celebration at UniSA).

Various banks also hosted many festivals, dinners and cocktail parties, including the ANZ Bank, the Commonwealth Bank, NAB and Westpac. As you can see, some of the festivities are already happening, and some of the common themes for Lunar New Year celebrations include lion dance performances, firecrackers, and traditional songs and dance, all of which are very entertaining and joyful. There is quite a marathon of events that are happening.

I wish to thank my colleagues who have attended various events with me. From this chamber there is the Hon. David Ridgway, the Hon. Michelle Lensink and the Hon. John Dawkins. From the other place I would like to thank the state Liberal Leader Steven Marshall, the member for Adelaide Rachel Sanderson, the member for Unley David Pisoni, the member for Morialta John Gardner, and the member for Hartley Vincent Tarzia. I have already mentioned the Hon. Tung Ngo, who attended many functions during this very busy time. I think I also saw the Hon. Gerry Kandelaars at the Chinatown banquet dinner and, of course, the President was there as well, is that right?

The PRESIDENT: I was there, yes.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: Did you have a good time?

The PRESIDENT: A great time.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: I bet you did. I would like to convey that the Year of the Sheep is very auspicious for everyone, and I want to wish everyone a happy Lunar New Year.