By Varant Meguerditchian - Executive Director of ANC Australia



In the lead up to the 2011 NSW State Election, the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia) met with key members of the NSW State Parliament and with representatives from the Australian Labor Party (ALP), the Liberal Party of Australia (LIB), the Greens (GRE) and the Christian Democratic Party (CDP).

During these meetings, ANC Australia discussed with the representatives the development and funding for Armenian cultural, sporting, scouting and educational community projects, as well as broader Armenian human rights issues such as the Armenian Genocide, the Armenian Relief Fund of Australia and Nagorno Karabakh self-determination.

With a focus on Armenian-populated seats in Sydney’s North Shore, the Northern Beaches and Sydney’s West, ANC Australia first met the sitting Member for Willoughby Gladys Berejiklian (LIB), a former board member of ANC Australia who reaffirmed her solid commitment to support Armenian-Australians.

Building on this solid commitment, ANC Australia formed a Lower House multi-partisan coalition, again securing the support of: the Member for Smithfield Ninos Khoshaba (ALP), the Member for Wakehurst Brad Hazzard MP (LIB), the Member for Manly Mike Baird (LIB), the Member for Davidson Jonathan O’Dea (LIB), the Member for Cabramatta Nick Lalich (ALP), the Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes (LIB), the Member for Ryde Victor Dominello (LIB), and the Member for Lane Cove Anthony Roberts (LIB).

Meanwhile in the Upper House, after liaising with ALP and LIB Members of the Legislative Council and then holding meetings with Rev. Fred Nile NSW MLC (CDP) and Dr. John Kaye NSW MLC (GRE), ANC Australia secured support across the political spectrum.

ANC Australia thanks all supporters of the Armenian-Australian community and wishes all candidates well in their campaigns to be elected at the 2011 NSW State Election.