Greek Solution party supports GCM’s call to fix slow service at Greek Consulate in Melbourne

·

By Ilias Karagiannis.

A letter sent by the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) to the Greek government calling for a solution to the slow service and insufficient staffing at the Consulate of Greece in Melbourne, has since received the backing of Kyriakos Velopoulos’ Greek Solution party.

Mr Velopoulos submitted a question to Greece’s Parliament on Friday, February 16, calling on the Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis to address the GCM’s concerns.

In his submission, Mr Velopoulos stressed there are currently only four employees at the Consulate in Melbourne to serve the Greek expatriates, whilst in other foreign cities with a smaller number of Greeks, such as Hamburg for example, the Consulate is staffed with double and triple the number of staff.

The submission further highlighted how in the past, the Consulate employed up to 15 people, while today it takes more than two years for appointments to obtain Greek citizenship or other issues.

Greek Consulate in Melbourne.
Greek Consulate in Melbourne.

Given all the above, Mr Velopoulos asked the Foreign Minister, “Do you intend to take appropriate action to increase the staff of the General Consulate of Melbourne, so that the service provided by it to the expatriate community, as well as to Australians who wish to visit our homeland or have commercial and investment relations with Greece, becomes more efficient and is provided within a short period of time?”

Following this development and in accordance with the regulation of the Greek Parliament, Foreign Minister Gerapetritis is now requested to respond to Mr Velopoulos within 25 days.

In the event that Mr Velopoulos is not satisfied with the Minister’s answer, he may turn the question into an interrogation. Interrogations are discussed in the Plenary Session of the Hellenic Parliament. If there are more questions on the same subject, the Parliament may decide to debate them simultaneously, or even generalise the discussion.

One thing that’s certain is that in the coming days, the GCM will get answers to this particular issue.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

‘Better than a daughter’: Scarlett rewrites the Greek mother-in-law story

The trope of a bad Greek mother-in-law has been completely rewritten in the Richmond home of Scarlett Athanasia Bauwens and Niki Papageorgiou.

Hospital ICU transformed so yiayia Freda Razos could join granddaughter’s wedding day

When yiayia Freda Razos became too unwell to attend her granddaughter's wedding, her family brought the wedding to Epworth Richmond instead.

Mark Bouris reflects on identity, family and legacy at Fronditha Care event

Fronditha Care hosted its first fundraiser, “In Conversation”, with Mark Bouris, Executive Chairman of Yellow Brick Road Home Loans.

Pharos Alliance holds public meeting to discuss plan for Greek language education

On Wednesday, May 28, 30 people braved the cold and windy weather to meet with the Pharos committee and debate the challenges ahead. 

Bridging the gap: Advocating for better brain cancer care in regional NSW

On Tuesday, 27 May 2025, The Brain Cancer Group (TBCG) hosted its 8th Annual Awareness Event at the NSW Parliament House.

You May Also Like

George Kambosos Jr talks up potential Teofimo Lopez rematch in Australia or Greece

George Kambosos Jr has talked up the potential to hold a title rematch with Teofimo Lopez in "Australia, Greece or somewhere else."

Sydney book launch a poignant tribute to the late Mimis Dervos

The official launch of a book on the late Demetris ‘Mimis’ Dervos took place on Wednesday, December 18 at the AHEPA NSW hall.

Controversial paratrooper event marking 80 years since Nazi invasion of Crete cancelled

Outrage by Cretans has led to the cancellation of a controversial event held to "honour" the 80th anniversary of the Nazi invasion of Crete.