Bill Shorten, the leader of the Federal Opposition, will attend the opening of the Lonsdale St Festival on Saturday 8 February alongside the Prime Minister of Australia Tony Abbott. This announcement shows the strength of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria as they have secured both of Australia’s political heavyweights to attend their festival.
Earlier this month, Mr Shorten attended the Theofania celebrations at Princess Pier. There he expressed his desires to attend the opening of the festival to the president of the GOCMV Bill Papastergiadis.
“We are very pleased that the Opposition Leader Mr Shorten will attend the opening of the Lonsdale St Festival, continuing the tradition of representation by the Australian Labor Party at the event, such as the former Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard,” said Mr Papastergiadis.
The Premier of Victoria, Denis Napthine and the Mayor of Melbourne Robert Doyle will also attend the opening.