608 共渡時艱歡欣同路 Together we walk through the difficult time in rejoice

我們喜見在政府嚴格推行人口隔離檢疫、限制非必要活動及保持社交距離政策後，澳洲受感染人數正在下降，政府也表明病毒傳播初步受到控制。不過澳洲人仍不能掉以輕心，因為若一鬆懈，疫症仍會再次爆發。

                社會停頓下來，經濟大受打擊。小生意結業者多，大機構裁員，莫里森政府推出三次共$2136億連同各州政府合共$128億元的經濟剌激方案，盼望能在這時期給澳洲人信心，能夠支持澳洲經過冬眠狀態，在疫症過後可以能在保留實力下，迎接經濟復甦。政府這樣的籌算，能否成功，看來除了要看疫情的發展外，更要得到全國人民的支持和信任，並且在這期間能上下一心，同舟共濟，共渡時艱。

                不少人移民澳洲，是因為嚮往這裏生活質素高，生活不錯。華人移民澳洲者，多在中國生活不錯，帶著知識或財富的成功人仕。新移民要重新適應，融入社區已經是不容易的事，在現時疫症肆虐期間，生活更是難過。有投資移民朋友，埋怨時運不濟，亦有技術移民者，在企業裁員下，覺得自己作錯了選擇。面對病毒威脅自己健康及生命時，有人會認為澳洲政府防疫不及中國決斷，覺得是政府無能。更有人不斷比較中國的抗疫措施，要求澳洲也採納。

                最近主流媒體報導了華人企業搜購大批個人保護設備，以社團支持中國抗疫為名，運往中國，反映出主流社會認為華人在這時期，沒有重視澳洲安全及利益。本刊在兩個月前曾指出把口罩及防護衣這些澳洲將會需要的物品，大批運往中國，必會引來澳洲社會的反感。今天澳洲醫院缺乏這些設施，正表明這些華人沒有重視自己澳洲國民的身份。

凡事從個人及中國利益出發，在這困難時期，無法得到澳洲社會的接納。本刊現時在社區免費派發洗手液、介紹如何做面罩及增強免疫能力的紫茶，盼望能鼓勵讀者，關心本地社區在疫情下的需要。我更盼望讀者們能進一步去關心主流社會的朋友。

澳洲社會的價值觀，在於公平、民主及公開。政府推行政策，要爭取國民支持，及照顧大多數國民利益，而不是單顧權貴的利益。在這一段時期，總理莫里森民望大升，表明了他的政策得到國民認同和支持。盼望華人社區能同心支持政府各項抗疫政策，共渡時艱，可以一起歡欣同走這一條抗疫之路。　

周偉文 社長

We are glad to see progress in containing the virus spread and the curve is flattening in Australia, after the government has tightened up border and quarantine control, as well as policies on staying home and social distancing. But we must follow through hard or otherwise a fresh outbreak could be disastrous.

The society and the economy have come to a halt, with many small businesses closing down and companies cutting jobs. Economic stimulus packages involving $213.6 billion from the federal budget and $12.8 billion from the States are up for supporting Australian economy during this dark moment in the hope that it could revive when we come out from the other end of the tunnel. The intended outcome would really depends on the development of the pandemic, the support and trust of the people, and their determination to walk through such a difficult time hand in hand. 

Many people migrated to Australia mainly because of higher standard of living here. Many Chinese migrants actually came with their wealth and expertise. It has not been easy for them to adjust into new living here, not to mention about this difficult time. For now some investment migrants and skillful migrants start to regret on their decision. Some are feeling frustrated on the government’s “mis-handling” of the local situation causing them life and health risks. They try to compare with the situation in China and expect the government to do better by adopting the same strategies.

The mainstream media has been reporting on massive health protective gear being rounded up and shipped away by Chinese-based enterprises here, thus jeopardising Australian health interest. Two months ago we have published our concern for massive quantities of masks and protective suits be shipped away to China as unacceptable. Now shortage of such supplies in local hospitals tell the inappropriate behaviour of these Australian nationals.

It is difficult for the Australian society to accept Chinese residents to stand for personal and national interest of China during this difficult time. Now in the communities we are giving out free hand sanitizers, we educate them on DIY masks and the use of Purple tea for anti-virus. We hope more readers would be better informed of their needs and in turn they could care more about the mainstream society in need.

Australian values care about fairness, democracy and openness. Government’s policies will be supported by the people if majority’s interests are taken of, not just of the supreme minority. PM Morrison’s popularity is surging as he is winning peoples’ support. The Chinese community should work hand in hand and in rejoice with the government during this difficult time for fighting against the pandemic.

Raymond Chow, Publisher