By Nick Siriodis.
The Publisher of The Greek Herald, Dimitra Skalkos, held a meeting in an exceptional atmosphere with the Greek Minister of the Interior, Thodoris Livanios, on Monday, July 29 in the wake of Mr Livanios’ multi-day trip to Australia in March.
Very critical issues concerning the diaspora were discussed and opinions were exchanged on key issues, which are within the competence of the Minister and which he has set as a priority to resolve. Ms Skalkos was informed extensively both about the issue of the Double Taxation Agreement that concerns many expatriates in Australia, but also about the lack of staff at the Greek consulates.
Ms Skalkos raised the issue of the Consulates and Mr Livanios emphasised that he is very well aware of the problems and stressed they do not only concern Australia. The ten-year crisis in Greece brought budget cuts, resulting in staff shortages.
However, Mr Livanios said Consulates are a priority to be resolved as soon as possible and he is diligently cooperating with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Gerapetritis on the matter in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance for an acceptable budget that will be available make the relevant recruitments. In fact, the goal is to recruit staff locally within Australia.
Mr Livanios stated that he was impressed by the dynamics of the Greek community in Australia and by the fact that “everyone is on the same page,” indicating that they are united and have common visions for the important issues that concern them.
“Greek Australians are more Greek and less Australian,” he characteristically said.
He pointed out that it was one of the best trips he has ever taken abroad and he truly loved his time in Australia. He made special mention of St. Spyridon College, expressing how much he was moved by the Greek children who all sang the national anthem together and generally had Greece so strongly in their hearts.
Regarding the postal vote, he mentioned that it was done for the first time in these European elections on a pilot basis and that the initiative was positive, while the low presence of Greeks in Australia and New Zealand played a role and the fact that the European elections are not particularly concerning to those living in countries such as Australia. In short, if and as long as the postal vote is also used in the national polls, the participation will be much larger.
Mr Livanios also referred to the upcoming trip of the President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, to Australia in November, shortly after the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s expected visit in October. The Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, is also expected to make a trip to Australia. According to information, March 2025 is a possible month for this visit.
Ms Skalkos and Mr Livanios renewed their appointment on a possible future trip of the Greek Minister to Australia.
At the conclusion of the meeting Ms Skalkos expressed, “It was a highly constructive discussion with Thodoris Livanios. During our exchange, we delved into significant matters and I was impressed by his keen interest and in-depth understanding of the issues that affect our community.”
