STATEMENTS BY SENATORS

Senator SHARMA (New South Wales) (13:30): Next Friday, the rising of the full moon brings the Moon Festival across Asia and, with it, an opportunity to celebrate family, harvest, ancestors and the next generation. The Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, will be celebrated right across our region—in China, in Korea, in Japan, in Vietnam—with major celebrations also being held by Chinese diaspora communities throughout South-East Asia.

The Moon Festival will also, of course, be celebrated in family homes right across Australia and at lantern lit events throughout the many states of Australia—including in New South Wales, in places such as Burwood, Cabramatta, Fairfield, Haymarket and Homebush, to name just a few. Whilst the delicacies that come with the festival may differ, such as mooncakes in China or songpyeon in Korea, the festival—no matter where you may be—will provide a chance for hundreds of millions across the region to reunite with family and give thanks for all they have.

The festival also provides a time to reflect upon the immense contribution of the Australian Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese communities, who have contributed to our nation for generations and whose contributions have undoubtedly changed our country for the better. Whether your family calls it Zhongqiu Jie, in China, or Chuseok, in Korea, or Tsukimi, in Japan, or Tet Trung Thu, in Vietnam, I wish our Asian neighbours and all Australians celebrating here in our own country a happy and peaceful Moon Festival, or Mid-Autumn Festival, with your loved ones and with your friends.