Federal Labor MP for Adelaide, Steve Georganas, is currently in Greece, where he is participating in important meetings of the Executive Council of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (PADEE) with members of the Greek Government. It should be noted that the President of PADEE is Leonidas Raptakis.
One of these meetings took place on Monday, January 12 with the Greek Minister for Development, Takis Theodorikakos, who described diaspora parliamentarians as a valuable asset for Greece.
Mr Theodorikakos highlighted the importance of stability and credibility during a period of intense geopolitical and economic change, stressing that Greece has the capacity to play an enhanced role on the international stage by leveraging its geographical position, modern infrastructure and a stable investment framework.
Particular reference was made to the prospects for further investment in sectors of strategic importance, such as energy, infrastructure, logistics and new technologies, as well as the growing international momentum around data centres.
It was underlined that Greece can emerge as an energy hub, a logistics centre and a data connectivity hub, utilising energy sufficiency from renewable sources, as well as infrastructure being developed in key regions of the country.
In this context, Mr Theodorikakos referred to the upgraded role that the port of the Elefsina shipyards could play, as part of a broader plan to transform the area into a comprehensive energy, commercial and trans-shipment hub.
For their part, members of PADEE’s Executive Council emphasised the role that the Greek diaspora can play as a bridge of cooperation with Greece. They expressed their willingness to contribute meaningfully to attracting investment, promoting partnerships and strengthening Greece’s international presence.
Additionally, reference was made to the critical issue of postal voting, so that it may also apply to national elections, which – according to announcements – are expected to take place in the spring of 2027. For this to occur, 200 votes are required in the Hellenic Parliament.
In closing, the Minister for Development expressed his appreciation for the active role of PADEE members and underlined that the Ministry of Development remains open to initiatives and collaborations that attract investments with a meaningful development impact and harness the potential of global Hellenism.
What Georganas said:
Mr Georganas was present at the meeting and immediately afterwards spoke exclusively to The Greek Herald.
“We discussed with the Minister various issues relating to the development of Greece’s economy – where it is heading and the goals it seeks to achieve. At the same time, we discussed how Greece will work together with Australia, Canada and the United States. And, of course, the need for a bridge between us for this development, both for Greece and for our countries,” he said.
Mr Georganas then noted that there was also discussion regarding the upcoming visit of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Australia in March.
When asked whether there is serious scope and potential for further business cooperation between Greece and Australia, Mr Georganas was unequivocally positive.
“There are many opportunities for investment both in Australia and in Greece, and many have already taken place. As we speak, the largest investment ever made in Greece by a foreign company is from Australia – Macquarie Bank’s investment in PPC, together with other partners here in Athens. It is the largest foreign investment in Greece’s history,” he said.
Finally, when asked about other meetings held in recent days, Mr Georganas told The Greek Herald: “We met with the President of the Parliament, Mr Kaklamanis, with New Democracy MP Filippos Fortomas (President of the Hellenic Parliament’s Special Standing Committee on the Greek Diaspora), and there will also be a meeting with the Minister for Education, Sofia Zacharaki, on the issue of the Greek language.”
The pivotal role of PADEE:
The World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association is a global organisation representing parliamentarians of Greek descent elected in the parliaments of non-Greek-speaking countries.
It was informally established in August 1996 in Athens by a delegation of elected MPs of Greek descent from non-Greek-speaking countries around the world. However, it acquired legal status as an association in June 2005, when it was officially founded and given the name World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (PADEE).
PADEE has adopted significant resolutions in support of Greek issues at an international level and has dozens of members elected to legislative bodies and parliaments in 24 countries worldwide.
