Prime Minister and Opposition Leader join Lunar New Year celebrations, vying for Chinese Australian voters

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The Prime Minister and Opposition Leader have joined in Lunar New Year celebrations, with both leaders also vying to win over Chinese Australian voters. Anthony Albanese has touted the repair of diplomatic relations as a key focus, aiming to strengthen ties with China while addressing domestic concerns.

Transcript

00:00In the year of the snake, a symbol of transformation.

00:11The Prime Minister and the opposition leader embracing that spirit in the Lunar New Year

00:16festivities.

00:17Happy Lunar New Year to you, to your family and great strength and prosperity.

00:27They're hoping their electoral fortunes prosper too, courting votes in Box Hill, in the Melbourne

00:33seat of Menzies, home to many Australians of Chinese heritage.

00:37Anthony Albanese pledging $150,000 for the community festival, only to be one-upped by

00:44Peter Dutton, promising $250,000.

00:48As the Prime Minister lords the repair of relations between Beijing and Canberra.

00:52Our economic relationship is so important, but you know what's more important?

00:57The relationship between our people.

00:59Also noted by China's ambassador.

01:02China-Australia relations have stabilised.

01:06Having reached a diplomatic low point under the Coalition, Peter Dutton is now vowing.

01:11The relationship that we have between Australia and China is our most important trading relationship.

01:16We intend to build it, to grow it, to our mutual benefit.

01:19At the last election, many Chinese Australians abandoned the Coalition.

01:24Peter Dutton has held a hard-line stance on China, but has recently tried to soften

01:29his position, in a bid to win back that support.

01:33He changed his tune, right?

01:35I don't believe whatever he says.

01:37While others are looking at the Prime Minister, with their hip pocket front of mind.

01:41If it can get the price of a living cheaper.

01:45Big smiles, big smiles.

01:46Shedding skin as an election looms.

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