Page 2007 - Week 06 - Thursday, 9 June 2022
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Lion Dance Troupe, the Federation of Chinese Community of Canberra, the Canberra Griffins Dragon Boat Club, the ANU Chinese Classical Music Ensemble, and many others from Canberra and interstate.
Of course, the festival would not be the same without the many Canberrans who turned out to support it on a freezing day, made even colder by the cutting winds over Lake Burley Griffin. The festival is truly a small piece of China in Canberra, with traditional dance, singing, poetry reading, cultural games and cultural food. It has been running for over eight years now. I encourage everyone to attend next year. It is truly a wonderful experience. I want to give a shout-out to the president of Community Culture Services, Wenjin Zhou, who put so much time and effort into organising this event. I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next year.
In the spirit of praising our community organisations, I also wish to thank Canberra Community Law and OneLink for their advocacy on behalf of a constituent of mine. Almost one year ago, I was contacted by a resident in desperate need of public housing. This person has been a public servant for over 14 years and served in education for the ACT government for 10 of those years.
Some time ago they were diagnosed with a degenerative condition that caused a rapid deterioration in their health. I have witnessed how severe this condition is. In a relatively short amount of time, this person went from being a healthy individual to being wheelchair bound. Their only source of income is an NDIS package and a disability pension. This is not nearly enough to compete in the private rental market. A few months ago they were given notice to vacate, and must be out of their current home by the end of this month. With the disability, the low income and the freezing weather in mind, their situation is critical.
I have been in contact with Ms Vassarotti about this individual and she has been very attentive on this issue. I thank her for the work she has done so far on obtaining a home for this person. Although no home has been identified as yet, I urge her to find this person a home before they are forced to vacate during a freezing Canberra winter.
Assisted reproductive technology—children’s rights
DR PATERSON (Murrumbidgee) (5.42): This is the final story in my series of stories from donor-conceived people. This is Eleni’s story, and these are her words:
I was conceived in November 1988 via sperm donation in Canberra, born 1989. I have known about my donor conception my whole life. I have no memory of ‘being told’ so I could build my identity around it. My parents spoke very openly and honestly about it but had no information for me …
I left Canberra for 15 years as an adult for other reasons but felt a positive side effect would be reducing the risk of unknowingly starting any kind of relationship with a half-sibling.
My understanding from my parents and the doctor is that my conception happened in consulting rooms but outside an official clinic. My parents understanding was it was a direct agreement between the three (doctor, donor,
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