A Penny goes a long way

Climate Change Minister Penny Wong is the darling of the Australian Chinese community.

The 400 or so guests at the Chinese Australian Forum (CAF) annual dinner at the Marigold Restaurant in Haymarket on July 9 praised Senator Wong’s achievements as the first Asian-born Cabinet Minister of Chinese ancestry in the Australian Parliament.

CAF president Tony Pang said it was fitting that Senator Wong was the special guest for their 25th anniversary celebration.

“She is a great role model for young Chinese Australians,” Mr Pang said.

“Chinese Australians have contributed to our country over the years in all sectors including social and economical. The recent entry into the political arena is encouraging and I hope to see greater participation by young Chinese Australians in all levels of the Australian political process.”

Chinese Consul General Hu Shan echoed this sentiment and in his speech said Minister Wong had done effective work in addressing climate change.

“She has also made a great contribution to promoting the China/Australia exchange. She is the pride of the Australian Chinese community and the entire Australian Asian community,” he said.

The Consul General said he was keen to follow up on climate change issues and his next article for the Sydney Morning Herald would be about climate change and why China adheres to the policy of differentiation between developed and developing countries.

But Senator Wong, whose father is from East Malaysia, singled out broadband as the policy that would most change Australia. She admitted that climate change was not the easiest portfolio and joked of her mother’s reaction when told of her daughter’s responsibilities.

“So let me see, they want you to save the River Murray and then save the planet,” she said.

Minister Wong said she was looking forward to the day when it would no longer be noted that an elected representative was either Chinese or a woman.

The senator also spoke of how Australia’s economy has become intrinsically linked to China and other Asian markets, and said the trend would likely increase in future.

Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs Laurie Ferguson, NSW Planning Minister Tony Kelly and NSW Liberal Willoughby MP Gladys Berejiklian also attended the dinner.

CAF is a prominent non-partisan advocacy body for the Chinese community committed to building a socially harmonious and cohesive Australia. Former guests at its annual dinners have included past prime ministers Bob Hawke, Paul Keating and John Howard, and Peter Costello, Kim Beazley, Bob Carr, Wayne Swan and Malcolm Turnbull.

By Pam Walker