Chinese New Year Festival on Parliament Lawns

Tomorrow Parliament House lawns will host Hobart’s Chinese Lunar New Year Festival for 2015 for the very first time.

As Speaker of the House of Assembly, I am pleased to see our community making the most of Parliament’s facilities.

The change of location from the old North Hobart site to our lawns will ensure more space for patrons, stalls, displays and entertainment.

I was pleased to assist the Chinese Community Association of Tasmania in successfully applying for $4,000 from the Premier’s Discretionary Fund towards holding the festival.

Tasmania is fortunate to have such a strong Chinese presence which adds so much to the fabric of our society.

Events such as the festival have an important place on Hobart’s calendar and provide a significant cultural richness to the Tasmanian community.

Our important cultural and economic ties with China were further strengthened by the Chinese President’s visit to Hobart and the TasInvest summit.

The festival will have Chinese cuisine stalls, entertainment including the Lion Dance, Dragon Boat display, traditional costume parade and fire crackers and a special area for children called the ‘Panda Zone.’

Hobart’s Chinese Lunar New Year Festival is on from 10am – 4pm tomorrow with the official opening ceremony at 1pm.
Elise Archer, Speaker of the House of Assembly