Every year, July 1 means Australia enters the new fiscal year, the new budgets for all levels of government and departments will begin to be implemented, and the fees and charges of all sizes and sizes will also have to be adjusted. There are also many options for government policies to take effect on this day. A lot of people laugh about the financial and political world and there must be a lot of people celebrating the fiscal year. In the northern part of Australia, the day is a holiday to celebrate. Instead of celebrating the fiscal year, however, Northern Territory Day is celebrated. A fifth generation Chinese descendant shared her feelings of celebrating Northern Territory Day.
Historic moment on 1 July 1978, Supplied
Lin Fang (Katrina Fong Lim) is the 5th generation of Australian Chinese. Her family has a close relationship with the Northern Territory and its capital city, Darwin. Not only that, Lin Fang is now mayor of Darwin: a woman mayor, a Chinese woman mayor. Although it is 38 years since the Northern Territory first became a territory, Lin still remembers 38 years ago.
"I was in Darwin myself in 1978, when I had just graduated from high school. The celebration was huge at that time. Everyone was optimistic at the time. Because after that, we`ll be autonomous. In a way, we can make our own decisions about what to do. "
Therefore, after that, each year, the Northern Territory Day will make Lin Fang excited.
"Northern Territory Day is a very important day in the history of the Northern Territory and Australia."
We're sorry, your browser does not support this audio format. Darwin`s Chinese mayor, Lin Fang (Katrina Fong Lim), was interviewed by Australia`s best reporter Fang Teng.
Darwin Mayor Lin Fang Council Of Capital City Lord Mayors
But for Lin Fang, how to promote territorial status to state status now seems more important. In recent years, Lin Fang has also become an active advocate of the state.
"I have always been an advocate of the state. I hope to see the Northern Territory become an Australian state in my life. "
The Northern Territory needs to be recognized as equal partners in the Federation. If it had always been territorial, the federal government would have been more likely to impose their wishes on us. Citizens of the Northern Territory are not on par with other states in federal referendums. "
Born in Darwin, Lin Fang, who grew up in Australia for several generations, has become very Australian. But not long ago, the exterior walls of her private home in Nightcliff, north Darwin, were graffiti. However, Lin Fang says Darwin`s Chinese community is growing.
"Yes, the Chinese community in the Northern Territory is growing. Now Charles Darwin University also has Confucius Institute. [the Chinese here] support the Northern Territory as a state. "
Lin Fang was elected mayor of Darwin in 2012, and her father was mayor of Darwin in 1984 and 1990, and was named Australia`s first Chinese capital city mayor.
Fireworks discharge Abc: Steven Schubert
She said Darwin was in a very important geographical position. This is the nearest capital city of Australia and Asia.
Darwin has been looking north in closer contact with our Asian neighbours to strengthen our economic and trade ties. We are in a bridge between Asian countries and the southern states of Australia. The city of Darwin has also benefited from investment in Asia. "
Not only that, she is also a staunch supporter of the federal government`s plan to launch a major development in northern Australia.
"there is no doubt that I support investing in the infrastructure of northern Australia. Make sure we are best prepared for economic and trade exchanges. It`s important not only for the Northern Territory, but also for Darwin. It`s important for Australia as a whole. "
Fireworks discharge
Northern Territory people celebrate Northern Territory Day Abc: Kate Shannon the Northern Frontier celebrates Northern Territory Day with fireworks. Unlike the rest of Australia, everyone can buy and light fireworks. The night sky of the Northern Territory tonight is bound to be very colorful.
People are excited about the daily fireworks in the Northern Territory every year, Abc: Brooke Bannister.
The father of a child is happily preparing to set off fireworks Abc: Brooke Banniste
Excitement and joy came out vividly and vividly, Abc: Brooke Bannister.
It`s kind of like Chinese New year, ABC:James Dunlevie.
The day-to-day fireworks tradition in the Northern Territory dates back to July 1, 1980, and has been going on for more than 30 years.
However, Darwin Mayor Lin Fang opposed the practice. She says people get hurt every year by preventing fireworks on this day, and it`s time to learn from other Australian cities and ban private fireworks.
"I have different views on the use of fireworks only for private use. Although this issue will require a final decision by the Northern Territory government, I personally think the Northern Territory people need to grow up. The Northern Territory is 38 years old, and we are no longer young. We must go into adulthood and take responsibility for our actions. "
"I like fireworks, I like public fireworks, but we have to see that there are many safety factors in the private use of fireworks."
She said that in addition to safety risks, there are environmental problems.
