CANBERRA February 17, 2026 – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese marked the start of the Lunar New Year on Monday with a short video message posted to his official X account, wishing prosperity and success to celebrants across Australia as the nation welcomes the Year of the Horse.
The 33-second clip, captioned simply “Happy Lunar New Year!”, shows Mr Albanese in a dark suit and red tie, delivering a warm address from what appears to be his office. He emphasises the festival’s role in bringing families and friends together, describing it as a time of optimism, gift-giving, and reflection on the contributions of multicultural communities.
“Right around our country, families [and] friends will be celebrating tradition with optimism,” he says in the video. “It’s also a reminder of what people who’ve chosen to make Australia their home have given to all of us – the gift of your hard work and aspiration, your loyalty and your love of our country.”
He concludes: “To all Australians celebrating Lunar New Year of the Horse, [may it] bring you happiness, prosperity and success.”
The video features several expressive facial moments as Mr Albanese speaks emphatically, including wide-eyed and open-mouthed gestures that have sparked amusement and light-hearted commentary online. One widely shared frame captures him mid-sentence with a particularly animated expression.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the post has received over 65,000 views, more than 1,000 likes, and nearly 900 replies. Reactions have been mixed: many users appreciated the inclusive message recognising Australia’s diverse communities, while others debated the use of “Lunar New Year” over “Chinese New Year” or questioned the focus on the festival.
Lunar New Year, which began on 17 February 2026, is widely celebrated in Australia, particularly among Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and other East Asian diaspora communities. Major events include vibrant parades, lion dances, and fireworks in cities like Sydney and Melbourne.
Mr Albanese’s annual Lunar New Year greetings have become a tradition, reflecting the government’s emphasis on multiculturalism.
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