In a statement presented to the Armenian National Committee of Australia this week and published on its national director’s social media platforms, the Family First party called on the Australian government to recognise the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides.
“The genocide began under the cover of the Gallipoli campaign and Australian PoWs were among the first-hand witnesses to the mass killing of some 2.5 million Christians,” the statement published by Lyde Shelton read.
It went on to say, “If elected, Family First Senators will push for Australian government recognition of the genocide.”
Family First is standing 100 candidates in the upcoming Federal Election to be held on 3 May, as well as Senate candidates in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.
The political party primarily campaigns on issues of pro-life to limit abortions, opposes proposed anti-discrimination law reform to protect the way Christian schools operate, is calling on a ban on Drag Queen Storytime in public spaces and wants gender reassignment clinics shutdown.
It also states on its website ‘that multiculturalism has failed and that Australians, regardless of racial or ethnic origin, must rally around the shared Judeo-Christian values which made the nation attractive to the myriad of people of many races who now call it home.
The Joint Justice Initiative, comprised of representatives of the Greek, Armenian and Assyrian communities has welcomed the political party’s pledge.
“The adoption of a policy of recognition gives hope to our community that truth and justice will no longer be sidelined for diplomatic convenience,” said the Australian Hellenic Council president Peter Stefanides.
On behalf of the Joint Justice Initiative, Dean Kalimniou observed:
“No entity that engages in the political process and stands up for justice, no matter how small, is insignificant. The descendants of the survivors of the Genocide are not going anywhere.
“We will continue to engage with well-meaning politicians of the entire political spectrum in order that the Genocide is officially recognised in Australia and justice is delivered to the victims,” stated Kalimniou.
