7 February 2020
Joint Statement with Andrew Giles MP, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs
As the world continues to respond to coronavirus, Labor stands in solidarity with members of our Chinese community.
Box Hill is home to one of the largest Chinese communities in Australia.
We understand this is an anxious time for our community, and our thoughts are with those whose loved ones have been affected by this situation.
Box Hill is a thriving shopping and cultural centre. Today, we visited local businesses to speak with owners and managers and to hear first hand how they have been impacted.
We want people to know that Box Hill is very much open for business.
We also understand that there may be some misinformation circulating social media – so we strongly encourage everyone to properly inform themselves as to the facts.
For more information about novel coronavirus, please visit the Commonwealth Department of Health or the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services. Information is available in both Chinese and English.
There, you can learn more about what to do if you think you may have symptoms as well as practical steps we can all take to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and the wider community.
The Commonwealth Department of Health has set up a dedicated coronavirus helpline on 1800 020 080.
For those in the electorate who currently have family in Wuhan or other Chinese cities subject to travel restrictions, or for those who had planned to travel to China, visit www.dfat.gov.au.
For any further enquiries, you can contact Senator Ciccone’s office (03) 9890 7022.
We are all in this together, and we all have a role and responsibility in protecting our community.
