Latest news with #LazySusan
Daily Mirror
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Stacey Solomon shares her affordable hacks for keeping kitchen cupboards tidy
Stacey Solomon is always sharing her tips and tricks for keeping her home organised - and this time, she's revealed her affordable find for tidying kitchen cupboards Stacey Solomon is always one to watch for home DIY tips and tricks, whether it's storing clothes or organising cupboards, she's always got an Amazon find to recommend. And this week is no different, as Stacey took to Instagram to share the product she's been using to organise her herbs and spices. Showing a before and after of her kitchen cabinet, Stacey showed how she was using an affordable gadget to keep her products neat and tidy. While it's not clear exactly what specific product Stacey used, you can find a range of Lazy Susans on Amazon that won't break the bank. These Okiuen 2 Pcs Lazy Susan Turntable Cupboard Organisers are perfect for emulating Stacey's organisation, as they offer ample storage space for keeping sauces and cooking ingredients tidy. A Lazy Susan is a spin table that can be secured to a shelf in your cupboards, or even your fridge, providing a tidy space to keep all of your products. The Lazy Susan can then be turned, ensuring you can reach every product on the Lazy Susan without the need to pull everything out of the cupboard in your search. This two-pack retails for £13.59 on Amazon and comes in two sizes to meet your different needs. The rotating turntable offers plenty of space for condiments, sauces, and yoghurts, and it can also be used in your bathroom or bedroom to store perfumes, cosmetics, and more. These turntables provide a convenient and simple storage solution. They are constructed with a stainless steel ball-bearing that ensures a smooth rotating movement. This makes rummaging for a particular item much faster and easier. With just one turn, you can reach the innermost items in your fridge or cupboard. Wave goodbye to rummaging around in a messy cupboard or causing more mess in the process. The turntable 's edge is 4cm/3.5cm high, and the raised edge prevents objects from falling. You can use it inside the fridge to sort sauces or dressings or put it in a cupboard, like Stacey opted to, to sort other small items, making better use of every space in your home while keeping products organised. If you fancy opting for a different shape to better suit your available space, Amazon also stocks this Voova Lazy Susan Turntable Organiser for £19.99, which is perfect for keeping taller items like sauces and dressings. If you'd rather shop elsewhere or fancy optimising your storage space a step further, you can find this 2-Tier Lazy Susan Rotating Cupboard Organiser from Dunelm for £27. Or for something smaller, check out this Taylor & Brown 2 Tier Lazy Susan Spice Rack from B&Q for £7.99.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Into the belly of The Gathering Beast: Brilliant, sometimes bizarre ‘Chinese fusion' cooking in Aman Suria
PETALING JAYA, June 12 — The Gathering Beast, set loose on Aman Suria barely a month ago, is unlike anything else in the neighbourhood in more ways than one. For one, its sweeping exposed-brick facade, towering glass windows and abundance of potted plants make it look more like a chic downtown darling than a self-styled 'Chinese-fusion' restaurant in the suburbs. The facade of the restaurant. — Picture by Ethan Lau Inside, antique earthenware, ornate figurines and calligraphy on the walls all work to exude Chinese tradition, right down to the choice of round tables only, with Lazy Susans on the larger ones. But it can also be very untraditional. The open kitchen, with its loud, crashing woks and roaring jet engine-stoves, bellows at the dining room in a way never seen in a 'traditional' Chinese restaurant at this level. Maybe at a dai chow, but no self-respecting banquet restaurant would ever let anyone hear the kitchen. The result is a buzz, an energy that belies the restaurant's surprisingly small capacity. Inside the main dining room. — Picture by Ethan Lau Then there's the food. Despite the menu's emphasis on shareable dishes, some feel more suited to the centre of a tiny table with multiple glasses of wine than sitting comically small on a wide Lazy Susan. One of three cold starters, the Red Cabbage and Arugula Salad (RM28) sports unbelievably crisp, fresh leaves of red cabbage tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette with arugula and toasted pumpkin seeds. Their nutty, toasted character complements the wholly unexpected addition of strawberry compote, a sweet flourish in an otherwise sharp and bracing dish. Truth be told, I wasn't expecting to like this. The prospect of a compote that was either puckery or cloying didn't exactly fill me with anticipation. But the balance of sweet and sour was perfect. Strawberries and red cabbage? It works. — Picture by Ethan Lau Dry-aged Sashimi (RM58) is another cold starter that bears little resemblance to anything Chinese, swapping wasabi and shoyu for an aioli made with a proprietary garam masala blend and a burnt leek soy sauce, served over slices of firm, clean-tasting red emperor fish. The warm, floral character of coriander seed burst through the aioli, leaving a peculiar taste in the mouth that was surprisingly pleasant. Dry aged sashimi with 'garam masala' aioli, one of the more unique flavour profiles. — Picture by Ethan Lau Fried Tofu (RM22) is a subdued riff on Taiwanese fried stinky tofu, getting all its funk from a healthy squirt of blue cheese dressing, offset by some pickled shallots. It's a playful introduction to the possibilities of stinky food, with the sharpness of blue cheese but none of the bitterness of stinky tofu. It is in the larger proteins that The Gathering Beast really shows its claws, none more so than the Beef Three Kingdom (RM56). Three types of beef offal, tripe, tendon and cheek, are wok fried in a sort of gong bou style with cashew nuts, dried chillies and green onions. Beef Three Kingdom was the best dish of the night. — Picture by Ethan Lau These are then fused together with balsamic vinegar and, most interestingly, celeriac. Tender slices of the root join a few dollops of celeriac purée, its mild celery-like flavour and gentle sweetness recalling the kind of mash where celeriac is often used instead of potato in European-style beef stews, now showing its value here. Unlike at most conventional Chinese restaurants, where main dishes are often designed to go with rice, much of the menu here is not built with that in mind. But this dish is an exception. It would be a dream to eat with a bowl of hot rice. But like most conventional Chinese meals, especially when dining in a group, fish is a must. Instead of the usual steamed preparation, the menu offers a grilled fish of the day (RM108), which on that night was a whole Malabar red snapper. The fish arrives splayed out on a bed of peppercorn sauce, deliberately kept lighter than the rich, heavy au poivre typically served with steak, leaning instead on the fruity, spicy notes of the peppercorns. The skin is blistered and charred in a few spots, the flesh moist and succulent. On top are a few blobs of caramelised soy aioli and a generous scattering of dill, whose citrus-liquorice profile plays naturally well with the fish. Definitely not one to go with rice, but fret not. 'Ying yong', but make it with 'kuey teow'. — Picture by Ethan Lau Like any proper Chinese meal, closing out with carbs is the way to go here, and the golden fried kuey teow (RM78) is more than up to the task. The noodles are deep-fried and submerged in a rich fish broth, mimicking the crispy and saucy textural contrast of Cantonese-style ying yong noodles. But here, the kuey teow is lighter and dissolves in the mouth rather than giving you something to crunch through, and the broth is intense and thick, with no egg in sight. Enjoyed with green chilli or vinegar, it is a wholly unique preparation of fried kuey teow I have not had elsewhere, and one that feels entirely in step with the restaurant's 'Chinese-fusion' label. Black sesame cake with 'crème Chantilly' on the side. — Picture by Ethan Lau Of the three desserts, only one impressed: a simple-looking slice of black sesame cake (RM18), a butter cake flavoured with black sesame and lightly caramelised in the pan, served with crème Chantilly. But it had been an impressive meal overall, with interesting and creative dishes, some clearly Chinese, others with Japanese, Indian or French inflections, but most importantly, executed with confidence. When 'fusion' restaurants open, no matter how vague that term is, we seem not only to cut more slack, but sometimes even to celebrate them for folding local flavours, ingredients and techniques into something recognisably foreign. Local seafood or herbs in a French or Japanese restaurant? How innovative, how creative! But flip it the other way, and the reception is rarely as generous. Why is that? The Gathering Beast 29A-G, Jalan PJU 1/43, Aman Suria, Petaling Jaya. Open Wednesday to Monday, 5.30pm-12am. Open from 4.30pm on Friday to Sunday. Tel: 010-246 3191 Facebook: Instagram: * This is an independent review where the writer paid for the meal. * Follow us on Instagram for more food gems. * Follow Ethan Lau on Instagram for more musings on food and mildly self-deprecating attempts at humour.
Buzz Feed
05-06-2025
- General
- Buzz Feed
25 Target Items To Organize Your Home
A wire basket that can hold your go-to pantry staples so you can simply pull them down and have a go-to seasoning station. Or, you can store all your fruits and citrus in these in the fridge and be cute like that. Promising review: 'Looks awesome in my pantry! A little pricey but good quality. They also have bottom bars so you can stack if you want to!' —Target reviewerPrice: $20 A posh and neutral cleaning caddy to channel your inner beige-fluencer. With its wooden handle grip and brushed steel body, this rust-resistant caddy will see you through many a cleaning sesh and has capacity for days! Promising review: "I love how cute this looks! It also fits quite a bit of cleaning material. I love that it's not plastic, so it's very sturdy." —Bells47Price: $15.89 A rolling fridge caddy for those of us with free-floating condiments that have concealed one too many rotting produce bags. With built-in wheels and adjustable dividers, a fridge cleanout won't be nearly as dreaded as it used to be. Promising review: "I purchased this fridge organizer to replace a Lazy Susan I was using to store my condiments. The moveable dividers made this a better choice. It has wheels to move the shelf in and out of the fridge. Great investment!" —Deb OPrice: $19.99 A storage bench, which is just as beautiful as it is practical. If you're tired of blankets piling up in bedside chairs — not to mention messing up your freshly made bed by sitting on it to put your shoes on — solve both problems and give your room the dash of cozy elegance it deserves. Promising review: "Was pleasantly surprised with this piece since there were not a ton of reviews. Looks perfect in my space, and the quality seems good. Fabric is really soft and luxurious." –Katie MPrice: $128.99+ (originally $389.99; available in six colors) A three-tier wire drawer organizer to stow away anything and everything that can fit into a larger bathroom cabinet. Think hair brushes, bath bombs, Epsom salts — you name it! The easy sliding drawers won't rust over time, and you'll keep your a.m. routine shorter and much sweeter when you're not digging around crowded drawers. Promising review: "The drawers pull out so smoothly, and the shelf stays put on my desk perfectly!" —MeganPrice: $35 (available in five finishes) A gorgeous file storage box if you'd rather tuck away your storage in something that could pass for a decorative basket instead of a larger filing cabinet. With a sumptuous woven exterior and a deeply sleek look, you'll be printing things out just to have something to store in it. Promising review: 'I was looking everywhere for a system that could hold coupons and mail that still looked nice being out in my house. Most of what I found was either really geared toward an office setting or was mesh metal. I am so glad I could find this. It sits right in my entry way and hides all my coupons or mail that I don't want sitting out for my guests to see. It doesn't come with hanging file folders, but I bought a box of those to pair with this and they fit great. I'm planning on keeping restaurant menus, schedules, whatever I want filed away but still at the ready so I don't have to dig it out of my office. The lid comes off all the way, so if you are using this often that may be annoying for some people. It is fine for my purposes.' —Jay Price: $28 A mirror entryway organizer to help you get out the door without the 7+ trips it takes to get keys, wallet, cell phone, and sneak a quick 'fit check in before you head to work. With its sleek, wall-mounted design and integrated shelf and hooks, you'll be out the door in a flash and wondering where all your clutter went. Promising review: "This is perfect in my entryway! I love that we can put our keys and whatever else we don't want to forget on the way out the door. Perfect size." —Shields112Price: $60 A pair of zipper storage cubes if you're in the mood for some serious clutter-busting. These fabric storage cubes are perfect for stashing spare sheets or off-season clothing, and their see-through zipper windows make sure you won't have to dig through every single bin to find that one thing you were looking for. Promising review: "Wonderful storage solution! This is exactly what I've been looking for. The fabric is nice and thick, and they're well-made (love the window to see inside). The small size is perfect for storing my winter clothing. Some have mentioned that the interior metal frame slides, but if they're full, they don't slide. Very affordable since you're getting a pair for the price you pay. I will definitely buy more for other family members." —KTpaPrice: $25+ for two (available in three sizes) A freestanding wardrobe rack for folks who love their clothes so much they can't bear to have them out of sight! Or, you know, if there's no closet in your apartment. 😜 This chic brushed metal and wood grain option offers both style and substance with secure hardware and ample space. Feel free to accessorize the spare shelves with some greenery! Promising review: "Great product. This product is perfect for a small walk-in closet; clothing and accessories are visible at arm's reach. The installation is fairly easy and should take no more than a couple of hours. I recommend this product as it is a far less expensive solution than spending in the high hundreds for a custom closet install." —JohnSDSFPrice: $130 A super cute utility cart because with it, you can upgrade even the drabbest office into an administrative palace! This elegant storage solution boasts smooth casters, plenty of storage, and frankly, it's BEE-AUTIFUL! Promising review: "Love these utility metal carts. They're multifunctional and hold quite a lot of things as well." —CPrice: $40 (available in three colors) A monitor stand with a drawer for when both your workspace and your neck muscles are begging for an upgrade. This sleek bamboo and steel riser not only puts you in a better posture to work for extended periods, but it also helps tidy up your work desk to keep things clutter free and focus friendly. Promising review: "Helps with desk clutter. This came exactly as pictured and worked well to quell the desk clutter I had. It is a little pricier than some of the other options out there, but it looks the best and isn't see-through. I put my charging cables inside to hide the cables when not in use, so I wanted something to fully hide them. There is a half circle in the front and a full circle cutout in the back, so you can easily route a cable in/out. My first one of these actually had a crack in the drawer, but Target was quick to offer an exchange." —GypsyPrice: $30 A birch-framed cork board since between notes, receipts, or any other kind of paper trail your work requires, it's nice to have a space to pin it and forget it. This classic cork board boasts a nice birch frame and is perfect for all your office needs or moodboarding. Promising review: "Was perfect for my long overdue (since 2008) project of displaying my mom's exquisite '70s- '80s Belgian Bobbin Lace corner samples, her hand-drawn patterns, and hand-pricked pin cards." —CDLgalPrice: $9.29 A rustic bathroom etagere that can hold all those vibe-y hand towels, candles, and little planters your dream bathroom longs to be adorned with. With sturdy construction and adjustable feet (for all the Virgos already mentally leveling each shelf), this posh addition makes itself at home in any bathroom — be it shiplap walls or subway tiled. Promising review: "Is just like the picture. Easy to put together by one person with little experience. Sturdy" —Snow angelPrice: $74.99 (originally $209.99) A jewelry organizer so you can accessorize in real-time without having to go through your entire jewelry collection each time. Also, it's great for being a quick catch-all after a long night out and a quick makeup removal before bed. Promising review: "Great size and style. Holds a surprising amount of necklaces, 10-12 of each. Fits in my closet for overflow necklaces and bracelets. Would work well on a bathroom counter or on top of a dresser too." —SDmama34Price: $20 A few bathroom drawer organizers to take your over-stuffed drawers from bleh to bliss. 🧘✨ Cleaning STARTS with organizing, after all, and with all kinds of sizes, shapes, and capacities to choose from, you can origami any drawer into order with these convenient little trays. Promising review: "I love these bins. I have many sizes. They are modular, so they stack using other sizes, too. I also like that they are plain and simple, and the plastic is thick and not flimsy. Great in the bathroom, kitchen, closet, wherever." —MMDPrice: $2+ (available in three sizes and two colors) A cable management box so your limited home office space isn't letting tangled cords live in it rent-free — not on my watch. Great for desks, media consoles, or anywhere where several electronics are in play. With five outlets, a surge protector, and no-show wire cutouts, what are you waiting for? Promising review: 'I absolutely love having outlets and cord organization all in the same place. This works perfectly under my desk to plug in all my electronics and it looks way better than having cords dangling everywhere.' —serena9Price: $30.99 (also available in black) A bamboo storage cabinet for the ones who really need to add some storage to the bathroom. This cute little number mixes a heck of a lot of shelf space with a large open storage cabinet with a slatted door that's perfect for stacking TP or any other bathroom items you don't always want to stare at. Promising review: "This is so nice and sturdy!! And so simple to put together! And beautiful!!! I want to buy one for every room!" —RoachPrice: $88.99 (originally $229.99) A rust-resistant, matte-black shower caddy Can't say we're big fans of it in the restroom. Keep it uninvited to the party and free the ledge of your tub from any more accumulating product bottles with this chic and secure caddy. Promising review: "Love it! I've had mine for over a year, and it has not rusted at all and holds everything I need it to. I really love that it has the holes to be able to flip my products upside down for easy access — literally no need to even pick them up." —KaylPrice: $18 (available in three colors) A hinged bamboo organizer for those of us who need countertop storage in our storage. This handy bit of bathroom decor looks terrific and helps maximize storage for beauty products. Promising review: "Super cute and great for helping make the most out of small spaces." —AcardonaPrice: $25 A woven wastebasket because every bathroom needs a little trash bin, so why not make it this gorgeous little number instead of the standard can? Featuring a lovely textured pattern and an all-important lid (bathroom refuse is rarely beautiful), this basket will brighten up any WC it finds itself in. Promising review: "This wastebasket with a cover looks fabulous in our small white bathroom as it is just the right size with a top, which I really wanted to cover up the view of the wastebasket contents." —Cleaning productsPrice: $25 An office organizer set since all offices need a dose of stylish organization — whether you're in the corner office or the living room table. Frankly... you might need even more panache at the living room table since everyone will see it. 👀 This desk set includes a desk organizer, pen case, note holder, business card tray, and clip review: "My office looks perfect with all my new rose [gold] accessories! Love them!" —Kc17Price: $23.72 (originally $36.99) A wall rack if your MasterChef kitchen setup doesn't have a MasterChef amount of built-in storage. If keeping all your cooking tools in a drawer is simply a nonstarter, this sturdy hook holder presents a chic storage option so you can show off your vintage measuring cups. Just make sure to mount the rack on studs (or at least use wall anchors) if you plan to hang heavy pots and pans — drywall alone will not be up to the review: "I've been wanting one for years and had even looked into making one, but can't beat the price of these! I used shorter screws as I was attaching them under the cabinets and had no issues! Love the vintage cottagecore vibes." —AmanisPrice: $24.99+ (available in two sizes and two colors) A paper towel holder because there's nothing sadder than a free-floating roll of Bounty that took a spill right to the bottom of the roll. 😧 Keep your precious paper towels up and away from any sullying with this easy-to-install under-cabinet holder. This thing has a built-in tension spring that allows for easy tearing, and will save you so much counter-space, it's wild. Promising review: 'Love this! I chose to hang it under my cabinets, and it was very easy. Nice quick release to change towels. Looks great in my kitchen and bonus putting my other one in the laundry room. Awesome product!' —PretzPrice: $29.99 A wooden spice rack with three tiers if you feel like your spices (the VIPs of the kitchen, I might) deserve stadium seating. If you have several go-tos you don't want to have to rummage for, this rack will keep them close. It's also like a little cheering section — (announcer voice) ooh the sear is cinched and the cinnamon goes wild!!! Promising review: 'I bought this for my little pantry makeover and it is perfect! It fits about 18 of my spices, which is all I need. Love that it expands too!' —Target reviewerPrice: $20 A bamboo drawer organizer when your silverware is currently in a 24/7 mosh pit in one of your drawers. With five different compartments, light breezy bamboo finish, and the fact that it's not a naked drawer with silverware clanking around in it, it's a winner! Promising review: 'I was looking for a compartment for my silverware and this one fits perfectly in my cabinet!! I'm so happy I bought it. The quality is amazing and it adds a nice flare to my kitchen. Would definitely recommend it.' —ValeriaPrice: $14
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Costco Shoppers Are Rushing to Get Their Hands On This New 'Totally Worth It' 6-Piece Seasoning Statioin
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Costco may be known for sweet tooth-satisfying baked goods, budget-friendly rotisserie chickens and other food items, but the warehouse is also home to an assortment of amazing home goods. And there's one new item for the home that has fans flocking to the warehouse to get their hands on it. On Instagram, @costcohotfinds revealed that Costco is now selling a seasoning station for just $23.89. Related: Costco Just Brought Back This Chocolatey Fan-Favorite Snack, and Shoppers Say 'I Can Eat An Entire Bag In One Sitting' "Costco just brought out the cutest little seasoning station. This is perfect to put on your table for your EVOO and salt and pepper. I feel like this is especially great for get togethers," she revealed in her video. As part of the 6-piece set, you get a Lazy Susan made of acacia wood, two oil and vinegar bottles, salt mill, pepper mill and a salt pig. In the comments to the Instagram post, there were plenty of messages from people who had just bought the seasoning station or were planning to buy one ASAP. "I got one yesterday and love it," one person admitted. "Uggh I kept going back and forth on whether to buy it today. I guess this is my sign to go back and buy it 😂😂," read another comment. Related: Costco Has a New '10/10' Dessert That Has Fans Tweaking Their Diets to Get a Taste: 'I Wish I Got Paid to Eat Sweets' One person did point out that when cooking with olive oil, it might not be the best option to put the oil in a clear container. "Olive oil spoils fast in a clear container, hence why they are almost always in tinted glass. This is a great set but I would not suggest filling it with 🫒," they wrote. And Costco's selection of items for the home expands far beyond the kitchen. Just recently, a $3,899.99 backyard bar shed sold at the warehouse went viral on social media. Up Next Related: Costco Shoppers Are Clamoring to Get Their Hands on This 'Incredible' New Snack: 'I Finished That Bag SO FAST'
Irish Times
25-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Australia's China ties in focus as election rivals hunt for votes
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese spent Easter Monday at the Golden Lily restaurant, posting photographs on Facebook with foreign minister Penny Wong showing a Lazy Susan laden with Chinese food. Albanese's choice of dining venue – in Box Hill, a Melbourne suburb where about 30 per cent of residents were born in China – was a reminder that Australia's May 3rd election could turn on which leader voters think is best equipped to manage foreign relations amid the turmoil of Donald Trump 's trade war. While the race has largely been fought on domestic cost-of-living issues, it also comes as Australia is grappling with how to balance its close ties to the US, its primary security patron, with China, its largest trading partner, especially as Trump has ratcheted up tensions with Beijing and applied more pressure to some of Washington's closest allies. 'The key part of the debate is how Australia charts a path with our key security allies at a time when Australians see an ongoing threat from China,' said Ryan Neelam, director of public opinion and foreign policy at the Lowy Institute think tank in Sydney. READ MORE Albanese and his conservative opponent, Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton, are both trying to appeal to Chinese-Australian voters, who have a heavy presence in a clutch of closely contested seats that could prove pivotal in a tight race. Australia's Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton. Photograph: David Gray/AFP via Getty Images China loomed over Australia's last election in 2022, when the incumbent Liberal-led coalition adopted an ultra-hawkish approach to Beijing. A large swing in seats with a high proportion of Chinese Australians helped deliver victory to Albanese's Labor Party, which took a more conciliatory line. The Liberals' 2022 anti-China stance was 'a real misread', said Osmond Chiu, a research fellow at the Per Capita think tank. Dutton, a combative former defence minister who three years ago told Australians to 'prepare for war', has since dramatically softened his tone. He now describes himself as 'pro-China', and also visited Box Hill, where he pledged to provide A$250,000 (€140,000) to future lunar new year fireworks celebrations. Dutton was trying to 'swing the pendulum' of Chinese-Australian voters back to his party, Chiu added. 'In 2022, the [then governing Liberal] coalition tried to put national security as the major issue,' he said. 'But in 2025, it is more about the US. It's a different dynamic.' Trump's hostility to allies including Canada, Ukraine and Greenland, and barrage of tariffs have rattled Australians and transformed the vote into a test of how smoothly the country can manage relations with Washington. His aggressive stance on China – maintaining tariffs of 145 per cent even as he has suspended levies elsewhere – have also created an uncomfortable situation for Australia, which relies on Beijing to take more than 25 per cent of its exports. A Lowy poll this month found voters were split on whether Albanese or Dutton would be better at handling Trump, but 41 per cent preferred the Labor leader on foreign policy, compared with 29 per cent for Dutton. Overall, voters' trust in the US to act responsibly had dropped to a 20-year low. Strikingly, Albanese has a sizeable lead over Dutton in dealing with China's leader Xi Jinping. One of the biggest achievements of the Labor prime minister's term has been a rapprochement with Beijing, which has lifted punitive tariffs on Australian goods including coal, wine, barley and rock lobsters that were imposed in 2020 after a Liberal administration called for an international investigation into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic. Tensions have jumped recently, however, after the Chinese navy conducted live-fire tests off Australia's east coast. Public debate has also picked up steam over a Chinese-owned company controlling the port in Darwin, where US soldiers are based. Nowhere is that pressure more felt than among Chinese Australians. About 5.5 per cent of the population is of Chinese ancestry, drawing on the descendants of immigrants during the gold rush in the 1800s as well as newer arrivals from mainland China as well as Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore. The community is particularly strongly represented in some of the country's most closely contested seats in Sydney and Melbourne that could help determine the balance of power. Wanning Sun, deputy director at the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney, said many Chinese-Australian voters might prioritise economic concerns, but there was still a 'very vivid memory' of hostility towards the community during the pandemic. Dutton's bellicose rhetoric had made an impression, she added, forcing the opposition leader into 'damage control' in an effort to win back Chinese-Australian voters' trust. Chiu at Per Capita said 'concern about China' had been a 'red meat' issue for the Liberal party's base in recent years. But the backlash in the 2022 campaign demonstrated that such a hardline attitude could tip the result in marginal urban seats. 'Chinese-Australian voters will be pivotal and could determine whether it's going to be a majority or minority government,' he said. − Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2025
