Nickolas Varvaris, the liberal MP for Barton in Greater Sydney, delivered in his maiden speech in Federal Parliament this week.
“Barton is a seat thatis the very definition of multiculturalism”, he said and multicultural diversity has been a vital element for life in Australia, serving as a catalyst for a nation built on a democratic platform under the common values of “tolerance”, “unity” and “justice”.
Mr Varvaris, the son of a migrant Greek Orthodox priest, extensively referred to his family background and Greek origin. Both these factors moulded his life, contributed to forming his awareness and taught him the importance of serving the community, he said.
“It was tolerance, unity and justice that my family instinctively applied in our upbringing and allowed me to grow”, he stated expressing gratitude for the way he was raised by his parents.
In his speech Mr Varvaris thanked all his political mentors in local government and in federal politics irrespective of their party affiliations.