The Greek Australian Conservative Coalition (GACC) held a successful lunch function on March 14 attended by 120 guests.
The honoured guest of the event was Arthur Sinodinos former Chief of Staff to Australian Prime Minister John Howard & current National Australia Bank executive.
Mr Sinodinos discussed Federal and State politics, the Australian economy, Greek national issues as well as some personal experiences from his days of John Howards’ chief of staff.
The President of GACC Yianni Kallimanis who also addressed the guests, stressed the importance of the Greek Australian community getting more organised and involved in political affairs on both state and national levels.
David Clarke MLC who has been a strident supporter of the Greek Australian community in the NSW Parliament spoke on the importance of family values and small business to Australia while also discussing the Pontian genocide and the continued occupation of northern Cyprus.
Two days later a delegation from the GACC executive committee spent a working day at the parliament house of NSW, meeting with members of the Liberal and National party including the leadership of both parties and most of the shadow cabinet.
The GACC delegation discussed policy issues including the importance of lowering the tax burden and regulations on small business, supporting families through economic policy, introducing tough mandatory sentences for serious crimes, and also briefed the parliamentarians on the continued persecution of Christian minorities by the Turkish government.
The GACC was established to support Liberal/National candidates that hold to the principles of the organisation through fundraising and grass roots political activism.
They also aim to promote closer diplomatic and economic ties between Australia, Greece and Cyprus and advocate for issues of importance to Greek Australians living in NSW.
