History was recently made in the ACT Legislative Assembly when Andrew Braddock, Member for Yerrabi, became the first elected official to use the words “Armenian Genocide” on the floor of the chamber.
In a three-minute private members statement, the ACT Greens MP called on both the Territory Parliament and the Australian Government to recognise the 1915 massacres of Armenians, Assyrians and Greeks as genocide.
“I am calling on the government to do the right thing by Armenian, Assyrian and Greek communities here in Canberra and across the world. I am calling on the ACT government to recognise the genocide perpetrated against these people and the enduring legacies to this day,” he told fellow members.
Mr Braddock described the systematic abuse inflicted on Armenians, including rape, robbery, starvation and mass killings during forced death marches.
Citing human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson KC, he added: “In fact and in law, this was a genocide. I hope this Assembly will, in this term, recognise the genocide against the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek peoples.”
His remarks followed the second annual Armenian and Greek Genocide Commemoration held at the Assembly in May 2025, as well as cross-party meetings with MPs.
The Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU) welcomed the speech. Executive Director Michael Kolokossian said: “We are deeply grateful for principled leaders like Mr Braddock. His voice in the ACT Legislative Assembly reflects a moral courage that descendants of genocide deserve. Recognising the Armenian Genocide is not just about honouring the past – it’s about protecting the future.”
Kolokossian warned of the dangers of silence, referencing the 2023 crisis in Artsakh. “When the suffering of our ancestors is ignored or denied, it lays the groundwork for history to repeat itself. This is not just an Armenian issue; it’s a human issue. And we need more voices like Mr Braddock’s.”
