Chinese New Year Reception at the Queensland Parliament

Paradigm Infinitum managers and excos of the Australia-Malaysia Business Council (Queensland) Ms Shona Leppänen-Gibson and Mr Wai Kiong Chan were recently invited to a Chinese New Year reception hosted by Queensland Premier the Hon Peter Beattie and Speaker of the Queensland Parliament, the Hon Mike Reynolds. A spectacular Chinese lion and dragon dance performance helped to welcome guests to the event held on the beautiful and historic lawns of the Speaker’s Green at the Queensland Parliament House.

Present at the event were a large line-up of Ministers and Members of Parliament in the Beattie government including Premier Peter Beattie, Deputy Premier Ms Anna Bligh, Ministers Pat Purcell, John Mickel, Judy Spence, and Member for Capalaba Mr Michael Choi. Among the invited guests were numerous civic and business leaders and members of the diplomatic corps.

According to Ms Leppänen-Gibson, the Beattie Government has worked hard to develop strong links with Chinese Australians and the Chinese business community in Queensland over the years, and the State of Queensland has benefited through closer trading and business links between Queensland businesses and Chinese businesses in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong SAR, and throughout Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

Ms Leppänen-Gibson praised the Queensland Government’s effort in this regard, and encouraged more state and local governments in Australia to follow the Queensland Government’s example.