The Liberal Party and Labour Party`s Chinese-American candidates in the (Chisholm) constituency of Chizem, eastern Melbourne, made history yesterday to open the first debate on Putonghua in Australia`s federal election, the Australian newspaper reported.
Liberal Party candidate Liao Chan-e (Gladys Liu) and Labour Party candidate Yang Qianhui (Jennifer Yang) are first-generation immigrants of Chinese origin with extensive experience in local politics in Victoria. The Chizem constituency covers (Box Hill) and Chaston (Chadstone)., the Chinese-populated area of Ph.D. Former Liberal Congresswoman (Julia Banks), who holds Chizem`s seat, announced last year that she would switch to independent seats and no longer run for the election.
Although for Hong Kong-born Liberal Party candidate Sarah Liao, Putonghua is her third language after Cantonese and English. But Ms Liao said she was keen to communicate with a vital constituency in the constituency.
Labour has also sent a Chinese-American "woman"-Yang Qianhui, the former mayor of Manning Han (Manningham), to fight Chizem.
Liao and Yang fought in Mandarin yesterday at Mountain View (Mountain View Hotel) in (Glen Waverley), Glenn Winfrey. The debate was also translated into English. In front of a seemingly almost Chinese-American audience of about 100 people, the two debate was most intense about "glass ceilings" and "bamboo ceilings (an invisible obstacle limiting Asian advancement)" and "glass ceilings" and "bamboo ceilings (an invisible barrier to Asian advancement)". They are both likely to make a breakthrough, becoming the first Chinese woman to enter the Australian House of Representatives.
Liao said: "for me, I really do not see any form of `ceiling`, because I am a doer, I have been doing my best to achieve [the goals]. I won the caucuses in the party among eight candidates. There is only one Chinese among us, that is me. At the same time, we have only two women, but I won. I won by virtue, not because I was wearing a skirt. If you have confidence, there is no such thing as the ceiling. "
Yang said, "my focus is on representing everyone in Chizem, regardless of gender, race or sexual orientation."
"having said that, I do realize the honor of being the first woman of Chinese descent to be elected to the House of Commons." "Congress should be a reflection of the people it serves," she added. The lack of cultural and gender diversity is a great regret. And I`m proud of the fact that by 2020, half of Labour MPs and senators will be women. Unfortunately, the Liberal Party has not made the same remark. Let`s not forget, why is it that my opponent is no longer Banks? The only reason is that Banks was forced by the Liberal Party to abandon the election.
According to recent census data, 19.7 percent of Chizem residents are born in China, nearly half of whom are Australian citizens and have the right to vote.
Liao came from Hong Kong 33 years ago to study in Australia, where she worked as a language therapist, connected closely with the local Chinese community, and strategically exploited the Chinese social media platform WeChat (WeChat). This is seen as a key factor in the 2016 Banks election victory.
Labour strategists told the Australian newspaper that both parties would be better prepared to launch the WeChat campaign than in 2016. Although Labour believes Mr Chizem is at the top of the list of potentially recaptured Victoria districts, both parties expect it to be a bitter battle.
Liao`s reported position on same-sex marriage in 2016 raised questions from Yang Qianhui. According to the Guardian, Liao said at the time that "the reason why the Chinese came to Australia was to hope that the next generation would get better things." Instead of the next generation being destroyed by gay, transgender, transgender people. "
Liao retorted that the Guardian`s report was false and wrong, saying her remarks had been "distorted". Asked what I heard from the Chinese community, I told the interviewer what I had heard. But when it was reported, it became what I said. "
Liao also said she would be keen to promote and preserve Australia-China relations if she wins and criticise Labour-backed unions for opposing Albert`s (Tony Abbott) goverment-era China-Australia trade deal.
