Thirty two Australian members of parliament have nominated themselves to be in the Australia-Greece Parliamentary Group, as part of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s friendship groups with other countries.
The group is chaired by Nickolas Varvaris with Maria Vamvakinou as vice chair, and includes MPs such as: Anthony Albanese, Tanya Plibersek; Bronwyn Bishop, and Brendan O’Conner to name a few.
“It reflects the importance of the Greek community to the political class,” Ms Vamvakinou tells Neos Kosmos of the high-standing Australian MPs who have nominated themselves to be in this group.
She says that many MPs choose to join this group because they either have a Greek background, or they have Greek constituencies and want to be more involved in Greek issues.
“The bilateral relationship between Australia and Greece, if you talk about trade and what it’s worth in terms of dollars is small,” she explains, “but its social and political capital is up there with some big groups like the United Kingdom and Israel.”
The Greek parliament also has an equivalent to this group, and Ms Vamvakinou – who has been a member of this group since she became an MP – says it opens a friendly forum between the two nations. In the past, Ms Vamvakinou would visit Greece with the group to discuss issues impacting on both nations.
So far, the group has met with both visiting Greek ministers – with the most recent visit resulting in the signing of the MoU on the reciprocal work and holiday visas between both countries – but Ms Vamvakinou says she envisages and hopes the group will become more active in the promotion of contemporary Greek issues through forums and functions, working alongside the consulate to achieve these goals.
Ms Vamvakinou recently met with THEON sensors president Christian Hadjiminas on his recent trip to Australia to promote his company and develop a facility in Victoria manufacturing high tech products, showcasing innovation from the Hellenic Republic. She looks at this company as a perfect example of what the group could do to change the current negative narrative being spoken about Greece, and showcase that the country has successful companies in innovation and excellence.
“HACCI would be a good group to bring to Canberra where they can talk to the group about trade between the two countries. So there are lots of things that can be done,” she adds.
“There are things we can do to allow Greek business people to come to Canberra and introduce them to members of parliament; that’s why the people have joined the friendship group as it’s an opportunity for them to have that contact with the Greek state or even the broader Greek community here.”
Ms Vamvakinou is also a member of the Australia-Cyprus Parliamentary Group that is part of the Western Asian region. Greece is part of the Southern European region. In order for a country to have their own friendship group they must have in excess of 20 members, and if they don’t they fall under their region. There are no set meetings however, Ms Vamvakinou says they meet purely on necessity and to discuss any new ideas. She says it’s not only important for members of the Greek and wider community of Australia to know about this forum, but to also contribute any ideas.
“The fact that [Greece] exists as a stand alone group, with so many members, is a reflection on the Greek community to the political landscape in Canberra.”
