In a historic moment in Victorian politics – for the first time in 18 years, three state parliamentarians have risen in the Victorian Parliament enshrining the words “Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocide” in the Parliament’s Hansard.
The long awaited statements come on the back of a party policy on the issue from the Victorian Greens announced in 2022 and a wave of thirty five letters from Armenian, Assyrian, Greek, Kurdish, Cypriot, Tamil, Tigray, Lebanese, Indian, Hindu, Christian, and Islamic community groups directed to Victorian Parliamentarians in November 2024 calling for Victorian recognition of the 1915 Genocides.
Ann-Marie Hermans MP – Member for South-Eastern Metropolitan Region and Kim Wells MP – Member for Rowville made Private Members Statements on the issue, whilst Chris Crewther MP – Member for Mornington pressed the Allan Government to clarify their stance on Victoria’s role in aiding survivors of the Genocides.
On Wednesday, 2 Apil, Hermans who also serves as the Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Armenia in Victoria, delivered the 90-second statement in the Legislative Council stating: “I rise to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, which commemorates the 110th anniversary of one of the gravest horrors of humanity. An estimated 1.5 million Armenians, 500,000 Assyrians and 350,000 Greeks were persecuted and murdered from 24 April 1915 to 1923.”
On Thursday, 3 April, Wells the Member for Rowville who serves as the Secretary of the Parliamentary Friends of Armenia in Victoria similarly delivered a 90-second statement in the Legislative Assembly and said: “This members statement is to acknowledge Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, which this year commemorates the 110th anniversary of this horrific event inflicted on Armenians, Greeks and Assyrians, which began on 24 April 1915.”
Armenian National Committee of Australia Executive Director Michael Kolokossian said, “The significance of this moment cannot be overstated, for the first time in nearly two decades the issue of the Armenian, Assyrian, and Greek genocides has been openly discussed in the Victorian Parliament.”
“In 2006, Labor’s Jenny Mikakos, passionately championed this issue, resulting in fierce backlash from members of the party who were engaged in illegal branch staking. Today, we are humbled to see courageous Members of Parliamentiament following in the footseps of Mikakos and challenging years of denial.”
Peter Stefanidis, Australian Hellenic Council – Victoria President said: “The tide is turning. The combined efforts of these MPs, alongside the growing support from community leaders, represent a turning point in the push for recognition and justice for the Armenian, Assyrian, and Greek genocides in Victoria and across Australia.”
Dean Kalimniou for and on behalf of the Joint Justice Initiative, stated: The recognition of the Genocide is fundamental and a condition precedent in the cause of reconciliation and the fight against racism and intolerance in all its forms. Increasingly Victorians are calling upon their political representatives of all persuasion is to take a stance on this issue. We applaud any effort that has at its heart the championing of humanity and the promotion of peace.”
