Jodi McKay MP-Member for Strathfield

新州议员Jodi McKay专访

By Han April 27, 2016

东南网澳大利亚站4月27日报道（记者 彭寒）

With one of the highest densities of Chinese population, part of the electorate of MP Jodi McKay which includes Ashfield, Burwood and Strathfield are also known by some Sydney locals as the Real China Town of Sydney. As a newcomer of Sydney, walking down the road of Burwood simply gets rid of every last piece of homesickness out of my body.

Representing so many Chinese Australians in the parliament, as Jodi herself puts it, is a great pleasure.

On Chinese community and the message to young Chinese

How concentrated is the Chinese Population in you electorate?

"About a quarter of the populations in my electorate are Chinese, and I represent them in the parliament house. It’s a great pleasure. We have one of the major centers of Chinese in my area which is called Burwood. Half of the populations there are Chinese Australians. They contribute such an extraordinary effort to the community. I am really proud to represent them."

Asked about the most challenging part of her work with Chinese community, Jodi points out language, saying the language barrier of the first generation of immigration makes it hard to get the government information across on time. She is now seeking young Chinese who speaks on behalf of their parents or even Chinese international students to get involved and bridge the gap.

What has been done in terms of letting young Chinese being a part of your work?

"I am doing all I can to encourage young Chinese, particularly student, who may even be studying here as international students, to have a say on what is happening in the community. The view that international students can bring from China on how Sydney needs to grow and change, replicate some of the good things that are coming out of China."

On Chinese investment and the New Visa Policy

Chinese global trade has lately once again become one of the hottest international issues. How would you consider Chinese investment here in your area to the local economy?

"Now we have seen a lot of Chinese investments, particularly in development. In the area that I represent which is very close to the CBD, Chinese investors are most welcomed. I am very supportive to what happened in my local community. It's up to people like me in Parliament to advocate things like that, to make sure when any issue arises that may impact the way that my community is perceived, I need to stand up and say 'No'."

Prime Minister visited China last week, saying the new 10-year visa is on its way. How many new Chinese residents do you think it would bring to your area?

"My area is the place that Chinese Australians would always want to move to. They have their relatives here; their friends would talk them to move here. I don’t think it would impact my area because people would always come here. They just love it. (Laugh)"

On Amalgamation

The issue of the forced amalgamation has been hotly discussed all over the state. The council of Strathfield is going to be amalgamated with the Council of Canada Bay and Burwood, electing a new council. Even if it's been issued by the state government already, Jodi still believe that people should have their own voice heard on this case.

"One thing important is councilors will obviously be limited, given by the fact that there are 3 separate councils amalgamating. It’s much better when you have more people who are representing and being the voice for these areas. What has been driving these changes is purely about money and deficiency. That has been a concern to some people. Because it has to be about the services that people actually get."

There are concerns about councils taking debt of the others when they are forced to be amalgamated, does that happen in your area?

"Things are interesting in the areas that I represent, there are areas in them that have great need, there are some area particularly Strathfield that have great wealth. When you bring them together, you do get some of those conflicts. This is one of the biggest issues here in New South Wales now."

"The community should be given the right to decide what they want with their local council. But you’ve got state government forcing councils to do that. That is where tension arises, and that’s what people don't want."

一头清爽短发的Jodi曾经是一名记者，对于时政问题一直怀有的兴趣以及与生俱来的敏锐观察力和刨根问底的性格让她完成了从记者到政客的职业跨越。接受我们采访之前她特意向我们询问了东南网国内的网址以及福建的概况，并表示有机会一定会到访中国，到访福建。 Jodi目前的职务包括在新南威尔士州下议院代表Strathfield及周边地区的议员和新南威尔士州影子交通部长等。 

“代表Strathfield很荣幸，希望年轻华人可以更多地参与政治讨论”

Jodi的选区中包括了悉尼三个最主要华人区中的两个，Ashfield和Burwood，后者的华人所占人口比重甚至达到了50%。走在Burwood的街上饿了有饺子有火锅，乏了有手法正宗的中式按摩，想喝酒了能买到茅台五粮液——一些老悉尼人管这儿叫The Real China Town。

“我的整个选区中华裔人口占了四分之一，能代表他们在议会中为他们争取利益，我感到很荣幸。同时他们也为我们的社区建设做出了杰出的贡献，我为他们骄傲。”

Jodi的选区中高度集中的华裔人口是澳大利亚这个多民族国家多元文化的一个缩影。正如美国一样，多元文化是澳大利亚的标签。在谈到代表华人社区最大的挑战是什么的时候，Jodi很明确地告诉记者，语言。“第一代移民往往不太精通英语，这造成了信息送达的迟缓，这对我这是一项挑战。我想让更多的华裔年轻人参与到政治议题的讨论中来，他们有着更好的英语技能，能够代表他们的父母。同时我也欢迎中国留学生参与政治的讨论，他们从中国来，可以带来新的观点和角度，帮助我更好地为我的社区服务。”

“欢迎中国投资，十年签证对Strathfield不会有影响”

近日，关于中国国际贸易的问题再次升温。部分澳大利亚本国媒体一直以来对于中国在澳的投资持谨慎态度，认为其有可能伤害澳大利亚本国的经济。对于这一系列问题，Jodi表示在她的选区中，中国投资者是随时受到欢迎的。

“中国投资让这里变得生机勃勃，他们是最受欢迎的。我需要在议会里宣传中国投资为我们的经济带来的活力，如果有任何不利于我社区的提议，我有义务站起来反对它。”

就在上周，澳大利亚总理携澳史上最大贸易代表团到访中国，虽不属于同一政党，Jodi对总理的中国之行仍然给予了高度评价。除了贸易交流以外，本次澳总理访华还带来了有关十年签证即将落地的消息，对此Jodi表示不会对她选区有太大影响。

“我的选区华人数量一直在增加，他们有许多亲戚在这里生活，他们的朋友也许会推荐他们来这里居住，尽管十年签证对于未来的移民是一件大事，但我不认为它会对我的选区造成影响，因为他们（华人）太爱这里了，他们会不断搬过来的。（笑）”

Jodi McKay MP与本站记者合影