The New South Wales Parliament's Legislative Assembly (Lower House) adopted a unanimous motion recognizing the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek genocides. This follows a similar motion passed by the NSW Parliament Legislative Council (Upper House) last week.

This motion, introduced by the Premier of New South Wales, Barry O’Farrell, formally recognised the Assyrian and Greek genocides, while at the same time reaffirming the historical reality of the Armenian Genocide.

Last week’s Legislative Council motion was introduced by the Hon. Rev Fred Nile. That motion was also passed unanimously.

The Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia), Vache Kahramanian remarked: “Today is a historic day for the great state of New South Wales. Once again it has stood as a shining beacon in ensuring that the historical reality of the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek genocides are never forgotten.”

“We thank the New South Wales Parliament, and in particularly the Honourable Barry O’Farrell MP - the Premier of New South Wales - for introducing the motion to the house and to all Members for standing on the side of truth on this important issue.”

The passing is the result of the combined advocacy efforts of the Armenian National Committee of Australia, the Assyrian Universal Alliance, and the Australian Hellenic Council.

NSW is Australia’s largest state, and the first state in Australia to have recognised the Armenian Genocide in 1997.