Tomorrow marks a new month and the auspicious date 1 February also heralds the arrival of the Lunar New Year, where Chinese culture takes centre stage on the Australian calendar. This year we welcome the commencement of the Year of Tiger. 

Culturally, the occasion is a celebration marked by families feasting, the exchanging of gifts and money, and the burning of incense to honour ancestors. Authorities have warned, however, that the importing of gifts could be accompanied by biosecurity threats. 

Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud said gifts could contain pests and diseases that could have a serious impact on Australian Industries and the environment. 

“Lunar New year is a special celebration for many people here and overseas, but around this time we see lots of biosecurity risk items intercepted at the border,” Mr Littleproud said. 

Gifts that could be a potential threat to the environment include those containing meat, eggs, fruits and vegetables, plant material and herbs used in traditional medicines. 

“Some popular Lunar New Year gifts contain pork, which could carry African swine fever, a serious and highly contagious disease which affects pigs,” Mr Littleproud said. 

“Fruit can carry invasive pests such as exotic fruit flies, and diseases such as citrus canker. These could seriously impact on our fruit industries,” he said.

Infringements on biosecurity laws in Australia could be met with an infringement notice of over $2000, and when entering Australia, the potential to be refused entry or have a visa cancelled. 

Despite the concern, the historical Asian cultural tradition is being embraced and celebrated throughout Australia, with Australia Post introducing a stamp in recognition of the Year of The Tiger, a Zodiac year which symbolises power, courage, confidence, leadership and strength. 

Designer of the stamp that will course throughout the country Chrissy Lau, said she worked to incorporate a sense of multiculturalism into her design. 

“I hope the stamps make people smile and give them a sense of fun, because the world has been a bit crazy these past few years,” Ms Lau said. 

The dates of the Chinese New Year varies each year, though the celebrations typically last for around 16 days. This year, celebrations will last under 15 February.