Greece’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Andreas Katsaniotis, has held a meeting for the second time in two months with Australia’s Ambassador to Greece, Arthur Spyrou.
The two men, who also met in mid-September, held discussions in a very friendly atmosphere. The meeting was also attended by the President of The Hellenic Initiative Australia, Nicholas Pappas.
Everyone in attendance underlined the excellent bilateral relations between Greece and Australia and stressed the common will to strengthen and expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Delighted to meet & congratulate the new Dep. Minister for Greeks Abroad, Andreas @katsaniotis, on his new role. Discussed avenues to strengthen the bilateral cooperation, & the role of the ever-enterprising 🇦🇺🇬🇷diaspora in creating trade, investment & cultural links@dfat@gocmvpic.twitter.com/eSoqB47Bnt
A special mention was made to the strong presence of Greek expatriates in Australia, who form a bridge of friendship with Greece and play an important role in the country’s political, economic and cultural development.
The Deputy Foreign Minister also expressed his desire to visit Australia as soon as possible.
“I had the pleasure to meet with the Ambassador of Australia, Mr Arthur Spyrou, and the President of The Hellenic Initiative Australia, Mr Nicholas Pappas. I was thoroughly informed about the work of the organisation and we discussed ways to further strengthen the ties of our expatriates with the homeland,” Mr Katsaniotis said in a statement.
Turkey’s Deputy President, Fuat Oktay, said on Monday that his country won’t be deterred from continuing drilling for oil and gas in the Eastern Mediterranean, Ekathimerinireports.
“We are not afraid of anyone. Those who seek an adventure in the eastern Mediterranean will get an answer,” Oktay said during a ceremony to mark the 38th anniversary of the Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence.
Turkey says it won’t be deterred from gas drilling in East Med.
Oktay’s remarks come after the Cypriot government said that ExxonMobil and partner, Qatar Petroleum, would resume in a few weeks drilling in an area southwest of Cyprus.
A consortium made up of energy companies, Total of France and Italian Eni, will also resume drilling off Cyprus’ southern coast in the first half of next year.
This news comes as ships and aircraft from eight nations took part in annual drills last week to boost safety and security procedures on vessels and oil rigs off Cyprus’ southern coastline.
Helicopters, drones and some 6,000 police officers will be deployed as part of the tight security operation planned by police in central Athens on November 17 – the anniversary of the 1973 student uprising at the Athens Polytechnic.
Greek Police (ELAS) will guard government buildings, embassies and universities to avoid attacks or squatting, Ekathimerinireports.
On November 17, Greece will mark the anniversary of the 1973 student uprising at the Athens Polytechnic.
There will also be an increased police presence in the wider area of Exarchia, where anti-establishment rioters traditionally mount raids on police after the end of the main march for the anniversary.
ELAS will also keep water cannons on stand-by while the marches take place.
Since becoming NSW Labor Leader in June 2021, Chris Minns MP has hit the ground running, working with Sydney’s multicultural communities and small businesses to help them through the difficult lockdown in NSW.
In this exclusive interview, his first with a Greek medium in Australia, Mr Minns opens up about the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on these communities and businesses, as well as his plans to win back NSW Labor votes before the next state election. He also gives a strong message to the Greek Australian community stating: “we want to reengage with you.”
1. In your opinion, has the NSW Government handled the pandemic correctly? If not, what would a Labor government have done?
If I say we would have done it completely differently and we would have done it better, if I was reading that I would be sitting at home and saying, ‘they’d say that wouldn’t they.’ In reality, it’s been a very difficult period for governments around the world. I’ve been really resistant about criticising the current Premier and his predecessor about the decisions they took.
We had some really basic principles of choice. This was a health crisis not a political crisis and the government deserved out support, provided it was based on the health advice. I think the real credit belongs to frontline workers, those people that got vaccinated and in particular, I’ve got to give a big shout out to those people that were concerned about the vaccine but decided to get health advice and eventually got the vaccination anyway.
But I’m glad we’re through this period and I think the former Premier Gladys Berejiklian, in particular, we should give a debt of gratitude because she marshalled the state’s resources in a tough time.
The NSW Labor Leader has shared his thoughts on the NSW Government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: David Gray / AFP via Getty Images.
2.You have been the NSW Labor Leader for almost five months now in an admittedly turbulent period for the state. How are you keeping up?
It was difficult particularly in my electorate of Kogarah, which has a very high Greek Australian community. I saw people, family, friends, people in my community, business leaders, doing it very, very difficult. So that was really hard particularly as I was in one of the locked down Local Government Areas.
Seeing my community suffer was difficult. Personally, I had a job, I’ve got a family, we were fine, but my heart went out to people who did it really tough over the last three months and in particular, small business owners that kept their staff on and tried to keep their doors open and thought of innovative ways to keep turnover going… I think it’s a tribute to the entrepreneurial spirit of western Sydney and south-western Sydney.
3. During your tenure we have been advocating for small businesses and multicultural communities of West and South West Sydney that were left behind during the pandemic. What is your vision for these communities?
I’ve been largely driven in relation to that by Steve Kamper MP. He is such a huge asset for the NSW Opposition and I think politics in the state. This is somebody that’s worked for and with small businesses for 35 years and he gives a perspective to our approach to the way government deals with businesses that we don’t have, that the government doesn’t even have. He really led the Opposition’s response to business support during the pandemic.
In particular, was the support for those that have got long term leases but couldn’t have the turnover to pay those leases. We demanded that emergency payments be given to small and medium sized enterprises. The government didn’t have a plan for that.
Minns with Steve Kamper MP (left).
Most recently, we’ve been focusing on ensuring that business support be based on turnover for businesses so the economy recovering rather than vaccination rates. I think that vaccination rates will closely align with an uptick in the economy, but it’s not a given job guarantee.
We didn’t want any business to close or any jobs to be permanently lost because that business in Western Sydney did the right thing and listened to their own government’s health advice. That is completely unfair if they have to close permanently because the government said you can’t operate. They did the right thing. They needed help and support. So, I’ve got to give a lot of credit to Steve Kamper there. He’s been really good.
4. You have criticised heavily the government’s economic recovery strategy and the approach to privatisation. What would Labor do differently?
I’ve been very critical about privatisation for one simple reason. The costs are passed on to consumers and taxpayers in the long run and we’ve seen that with tolls, we’ve seen that with public transport. The Head of the ACCC has been very critical of the government’s decision to privatise what are effectively monopolies in NSW because the consumer ends up paying more.
If you look at the situation over the last two years where it’s been very difficult for everybody in NSW, I just think the tolls are up, taxes are up, fines are up. The idea that you privatise government assets so a private company can increase charges as well, it’s just more than many people can afford. We want people to start businesses and grow their bank balances and invest in their children and stimulate the economy. That can’t happen if the cost of living in Sydney in particular are through the roof.
I don't just oppose selling off more public assets – I'm going to legislate to stop it.
This week we'll introduce an anti-privatisation bill to NSW Parliament.
Our bill will force the Government to get approval from both houses of parliament to sell off any of these assets. pic.twitter.com/A6kEHK5E0u
5. What is your plan until the next state election to win back NSW Labor votes?
The Party has been spectacularly unsuccessful for the long time, particularly in NSW, and you can’t turn that around immediately. It takes time and the reason it takes time is because I think a lot of people would be sitting on the fence. Perhaps a lot of former Labor voters would say you know, ‘Am I prepared to support the Opposition? What are the things I need to see?’
What they need to see is a disciplined outfit, one that uses a lot of common sense, one that is not radical but focused on bringing people together and finding solutions to the problems, and one that is listening to them.
I am firmly of the view that the Liberals and Nationals after 11 years in office, 12 years in office by the time of the next election, asking for 16 years in office at the next election, it’s too long for one political party to be in power. I think we’ve got the freshness and the energy to drive the state forward. I genuinely believe that so we’ve got a big challenge. We have to climb Everest but you know, I think we’re up to the task.
6. There’s a few by elections coming up very shortly. How do you feel about them and will Labor contest them all?
We’ve made a decision about Bega that we are going to contest it. I have to make a decision based on two things. Firstly, resourcing. We have the general election in twelve months’ time, we have to contest 93 seats across NSW. It’s extremely expensive and we have to raise money for it. The temptation is to save your pennies for the general election which is obviously the one that will determine the government, but also the people in those communities deserve a choice and they deserve a choice between the government and the Opposition. So it’s competing pressures on me to make that decision.
Minns outlines his plan for the next state election.
We’ve made the decision in relation to be Bega. The community needs a choice. We’ve got to make a call on Monaro and Willoughby in the coming weeks. Although interestingly, none of the members of Parliament who have indicated that they’re leaving have submitted their resignations yet. So I don’t even know when the by-election date will be so we’ve got a bit of time up our sleeve.
7. In 2019, you supported the decriminalisation of abortion however, you have publicly indicated that you will vote against the voluntary assisted dying bill. Don’t you think people with terminal illnesses, who will die within six months or 12 months, need to have this choice?
That’s a very good point and I respect people who will be supporting the legislation. I’m in the minority inside the Labor Party against it. They’ll be overwhelming support inside the Parliamentary Caucus. It’s a conscience vote for Labor MPs. I’ll never change that. It’s up to every individual MP to make that decision so I’m not going to impose my views on my colleagues.
My concern with the legislation is that I don’t think you can codify the bill for a vulnerable person who feels that they’re a burden on their family and friends and decides to opt for euthanasia because they think that they’re a burden on their loved ones. I don’t think that you can find a form of words to eliminate that risk. That’s always been my view but I expect the legislation to pass the Legislative Assembly.
8.Thousands of members of the Greek community have been impacted by the government’s proposed taxi licence reforms and, although the government has promised further action to assist many families, still live with uncertainty. What is Labor planning to assist those families?
The first thing Labor did when I was Shadow Transport Minister was ensuring that the $1 surcharge remain in place so that provides a revenue source for a potential compensation package in the future.
The NSW government paid $20,000 per license. It was taxed so in the end, many taxi plate owners received $12,000. There was no sense that for many people they invested in taxi licenses in lieu of property or shares or some kind of other asset thinking, that the government will protect their investment because the government was the one issuing the licenses. They’ve given them effectively nothing for the value of these plates, particularly if you own multiple plates and we need to give fair compensation to those communities.
The main thing I wanted to do is ensure that there was a revenue stream to make sure that we could pay that and Uber and ride sharing companies attempted to extinguish that $1.10 surcharge so we demanded that it stay in place, which the government reluctantly agreed to. So a compensation package needs to be generous and fair and we’re working on a package to take to the next election. But to be honest with you, I hope the government gazumps us and comes up with their own independent compensation package before the next election because for many taxi club owners, they can’t afford to wait.
9.In your opinion, how fair is that $50,000 compensation that the government is willing to pay the owners of taxi plates?
I’m not even sure they’re prepared to offer $50,000. There was a consultation paper that suggested that $50,000 would be the figure. The Victorians package was $100,000 and it’s nowhere near enough to cover the costs.
We’ve been talking closely with the Taxi Council and other independent taxi associations about the best way forward. It’s very hard to negotiate with the industry from Opposition because we just don’t have the resources of government. But I’m aware that we need to have a package in place to take to the next election so that the community can have some certainty about what Labor would offer. You know, I think it’s also worth pointing out that the Liberal Party, which is supposed to be the Party for small businesses, have left these communities high and dry.
10. The Greek community has been a strong supporter of the Labor Party for many decades. What is your message to the Greek community as we approach the next elections?
My message to the Greek community is that over many decades, the Greek community in Australia has built this wonderful country that we live in, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne and Adelaide. They’re the hard-working backbone of so many industries, whether it’s retail, fine dining and dining, property sector, media, and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude going back many generations.
I think the Labor Party is desperate, I’ll say that, to reengage with the Greek Australian community so that they can see us as the Party of opportunity, the Party that respects and supports the Greek diaspora in Australia, and that we have a vision for a dynamic, exciting future. I’ve sensed a bit of a drift from the Greek community away from Labor in recent years. Would that be fair? You know, I’m determined to put a flag in the ground and work hard for those votes and I’ll never ever take anything for granted. We want them back and we want the community back and we’re prepared to work very hard to do that.
Adelaide’s Tarntanyangga/Victoria Square came alive on Sunday with music, dance and culinary delights from around the world as thousands of South Australians braved the weather and attended the biennial Multicultural Festival.
A community favourite since 2013, the event showcased over 70 community groups from 50 cultures and was attended by dignitaries such as the Governor of South Australia Frances Adamson, Assistant Minister to the Premier Jing Lee, Chair of South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission (SAMEAC) Chair Andriana Christopoulos and President of the Greek Orthodox Community of SA Bill Gonis.
“My experience has given me an appreciation of Australia’s culturally diverse society and the very successful multicultural community we’ve built particularly here in South Australia,” the Governor of South Australia, Frances Adamson, said.
In her speech the Governor also referred to the concept of interculturalism as a new diversity ideology with interrelated components of dialogue, unity, and identity flexibility among the community’s different cultural groups.
“This festival is the embodiment of this concept,” Ms Adamson said before she took a tour of the festival and stopped by various stalls to chat with representatives from community groups including the President of the Organisation of Hellene and Hellene-Cypriot Women of SA (OEEGA SA), Helen Haltis.
“This festival is a great opportunity for people from different communities and backgrounds to come together and celebrate our second home, South Australia. It’s very important that we stay connected, united and exchange traditions and ideas,” member of OEEGA SA, Alexandra Vakitsidou told The Greek Herald.
Photo Credit: Facebook/Greek Lyceum of SA
“We’ve been participating in the festival since it started and every year, we are equally excited to be here.”
GOCSA Dance Academy and The Hellenic Lyceum of SA also performed bringing a part of Greece’s rich cultural heritage to the big stage.
The Organisation of Hellene and Hellene Cypriots of Australia (OEEGA NSW) and the wider Greek Australian community showed their support for children with cancer and their families with a radio marathon held on Wednesday, November 10th.
Broadcast by the 2MM radio station, the radiothon was a success with over $37,000 raised for the Children’s Cancer Institute (CCI).
“Our president, Irene Anestis, worked tirelessly for two months leading to the event and although she could not go and meet people due to the restrictions, she managed to collect $23,000 from pledges given via the phone,” the organisation’s Secretary, Sylvia Tserdanis, told The Greek Herald.
The women’s organisation has been supporting the Children’s Cancer Institute (CCI) for the last 14 years and have so far donated over $414,000 which has helped to purchase essential equipment for specialised scientific research.
This year’s radio marathon, was supported by prominent political and religious personalities.
This included: the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras, the High Commissioner of Cyprus in Australia, Martha Mavrommatis, Greek Australian Labor politicians, Sophie Cotsis and Steve Kamper, Australian Ambassador to the US, Arthur Sinodinos and Archbishop Makarios.
During the fundraiser, messages were heard from scientists of the Institutes as well as a special interview with Greek Australian Professor Maria Kavallaris.
“We deeply appreciate everyone’s support especially during a year like no other,” Ms Tserdanis said and together with President, Ms Irene Anestis thanked for their efforts all OEEGA NSW members, The Athenian Association of NSW President Cathy Vallis as well as the radio presenters – among them our own George Tserdanis- for hosting the radio marathon.
“We want all children who suffer from cancer, regardless of background, to have a chance in life,” Ms Tserdanis said.
Asked about the organisation’s future plans to support the Children’s Cancer Institute (CCI), OEEGA NSW President says that ‘we will continue’.
“I will be fighting for this purpose until I can no more,” Mrs Anestis said.
Those interested in donating, can still do so until the end of November by depositing their donations at Delphi Bank branches with the following information: OEEGA NSW (CCI), BSB: 941202, Account No: 203990010.
For donations or more information call: 0422 596 980, (02) 8509 5274 or 0419 257 099.
The Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Vic) has recognised the best and brightest of the Hellenic Australian community, with the 2021 HACCI Excellence Awards.
Recognised as the premier business and community awards for the Hellenic Australian community, the HACCI Excellence Awards recognise organisations and individuals that have achieved excellence in their fields.
This year’s recipients are:
• Spiro Stamoulis Lifetime Achievement Award – Niki Savva, Journalist and Author • Bank of Sydney Business Excellence Award – Fotios Tsiouklas, Entrepreneur • Innovation Award presented by Directed – Mathew Staios, Clinical Neuropsychologist •Professional Services Award – Con Giannellis, Intensivist and Physician • Community Service Award presented by PRONIA – Gina Poulos, Philanthropist • Woman of Influence Award presented by SalaryMasters – Nola Karapanagiotidis, County Court Judge • Sport Award presented by Heidelberg United FC – The Double Eagle Golf Club • Chris Saristavros Young Achiever Award – Zoe Alexiades, Youth Advocate
HACCI Chair, Fotini Kypraios.
“We are extremely proud and humbled by the calibre of this year’s winners,” HACCI Chair, Fotini Kypraios, said.
“Through their endeavour and tenacity, they represent the best and brightest of our community. Across a multitude of fields and countless years of hard work and commitment, they epitomise the excellence HACCI seeks to recognise through these awards.”
Unfortunately, for the second year running HACCI was unable to hold its annual gala ball due to COVID restrictions, but instead unveiled its winners online via HACCI’s Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn channels.
Adelaide restaurateur, Stratos Pouras, will close the doors of his iconic steak and seafood restaurant, Cork & Cleaver, for the final time next month after 43 years.
This news comes as the 84-year-old has decided to retire after more than 50 years in the hospitality industry, The Advertiserreports.
For the last 43 years, Stratos Pouras has been putting in twelve hour days. Photo taken in 1994. Courtesy of Dennis Rogers.
Mr Pouras recently received an offer to buy the building and following discussions with his family, decided it was time for a well-earned rest.
“It’s been a fantastic experience, a fantastic life for myself and for all my loyal staff. We are leaving on a high… very high,” Mr Pouras told the newspaper.
“But it’s time to retire. Nothing is forever.”
Cork & Cleaver. Photo: The Greek Herald / Argyro Vourdoumpa.
Speaking with The Greek Herald back in early September, Mr Pouras said the restaurant was embedded in memories of generations of South Australians and became the first job place for many of the state’s well-known personalities.
“In the early 80s a very polite blonde girl came in to ask for a job. She was holding a folder with her academic records and birth certificate. She told me her names was Frances Adamson. Her mother, Jennifer Adamson, was the then Minister for Health and tourism in the Tonkin Government and a customer of ours,” he said.
Stratos Pouras was the first boss of South Australia’s next Governor. Photo: The Greek Herald/Argyro Vourdoumpa.
“I hired her and she started waitressing. She was very clever. After 2-3 years she told me that she would go to Canberra to study political science. She left but her mother kept coming and through her I was learning about Frances.”
Frances Adamson is now South Australia’s new Governor and is considered one of Australia’s most accomplished and respected public servants and diplomats.
The moment remains Mr Pouras’ “crowning glory” as he closes the doors on Cork & Cleaver for the last time.
Bill Papas’ cousin, Eric Constantinidis, has been added as a respondent to Westpac’s legal action against the Forum Group founder, The Australian Financial Review(AFR)reports.
This comes as the bank seeks to recover $720,000 transferred via a share trading account that allegedly breached freezing orders.
Mr Papas’ assets were put under a freezing order by the court on June 28, which was extended on July 2, 9 and 16.
According to the AFR, documents showed that two payments of $150,000 and $570,000 were made into a National Australia Bank account in the name E. Constantinidis on July 4 and July 7.
In September, MinterEllison, on behalf of Westpac, sent a letter to Mr Constantinidis ordering him to pay back the $720,000.
But correspondence with Mr Constantinidis’ lawyer, Bill Parsons of WH Parsons & Associates, said the money was not Westpac’s and was repayment of legal fees paid on Mr Papas’ behalf, as well as money owed to Mr Constantinidis and his companies.
“Our client was not aware of a freezing order when he received and made the payments referred to above, nor was he aware of the allegations of a trust for the benefit of Westpac Banking Corporation that you allege,” Mr Parsons wrote in a letter, which was submitted to the Federal Court.
Mr Constantinitis has not been accused of being involved in any fraudulent activities, the AFR reports.
South Australia’s Deputy Premier, Vickie Chapman, is taking legal action against Labor frontbencher, Tom Koutsantonis, in a bid to halt a parliamentary investigation into whether she has a conflict of interest, The Advertiser reports.
The manoeuvre is Ms Chapman’s latest bid to scuttle a select committee into her scrapping of plans to build a deepwater port on Kangaroo Island.
Ms Chapman claims Mr Koutsantonis repeatedly accused her on Twitter of lying to parliament in what she has labelled as ‘disgraceful behaviour.’
Tom Koutsantonis MP.
Ms Chapman issued a lawyer’s letter to Mr Koutsantonis on Friday, demanding a public apology and retraction of any suggestion that she lied to parliament, along with the $100,000 payment within 14 days – or she will commence defamation action.
In a defiant statement to The Advertiser, Ms Chapman declared: “Bring it on. It is well past time for the matter to be removed from this kangaroo court to a competent court.”
Mr Koutsantonis indicated he would seek to defend his statements.
“This appears to be a last-ditch, desperate attempt by Vickie Chapman to distract from the inquiry and save what’s left of her political career,” an Opposition spokesman said.
Mr Koutsantonis added: “I’m happy to defend myself and I look forward to the outcome of the select committee’s final report.”
