Independent South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon spoke in parliament last week to raise awareness of the Armenian, Greek and Assyrian genocides

Independent South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon spoke in parliament last week to raise awareness of the Armenian, Greek and Assyrian genocides, challenging the Senate to avoid shying away from the issue for fear of straining diplomatic ties with Turkey.

The Senator spoke of the crimes against humanity, which took place from 1915 to 1923, during which an estimated 3.5 million people died, “as a result of deliberate, systematic actions by the Ottoman Empire.”

It is understood that Australia has not formally acknowledged the genocide due to the nation’s diplomatic bonds with Turkey. But Mr Xenophon has chosen to approach the issue with a ‘now or never attitude’, calling for Australia to choose a clear moral position on the matter.

During his Senate address last week, Mr Xenophon thanked the Armenian National Committee and the Australian Hellenic Council for bringing the genocides to the forefront. He added that he will be working with both organisations to formulate a motion to the Senate in the coming months.

The Australian Hellenic Council Coordinator for New South Wales, George Vellis, welcomed Mr Xenophon’s parliamentary address on the issue.

“More and more of our elected representatives are pressing the Australian government to adopt a position on this issue which is reflective of Australia’s moral integrity,” he said.

New People