Yet another Australian political party has adopted recognition of the Greek Genocide as policy. Family First has issued a powerful statement adopting a party policy on recognising the 1915-1923 Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides and encouraging the Australian federal government to do the same.
Family First has joined the Australian Greens as the second political party contesting the 2025 Federal Election with an official policy supporting recognition of the Greek Genocide.
Family First is standing 100 candidates in the upcoming Federal Election to be held on 3 May 2025, as well as Senate candidates in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.
The statement, which was published on National Director Lyle Shelton’s social media platforms, said: “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.”
It went on to say, “If elected, Family First Senators will push for Australian government recognition of the genocide.”
The Joint Justice Initiative (JJI), comprised of representatives of the Greek, Armenian and Assyrian communities, has welcomed the adoption of a party policy by Family First.
On behalf of the Australian Hellenic Council (AHC) president, Peter Stefanidis, commented: “The adoption of a policy of recognition gives hope to our community that truth and justice will no longer be sidelined for diplomatic convenience.”
On behalf of the JJI, 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.”