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SYDNEY: The Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia) has officially congratulated newly-elected Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, as well as all elected friends of the Armenian-Australian community after Saturday’s Federal Election. The Australian Labor Party (ALP) recorded an emphatic victory to win Government, allowing Mr. Rudd to take over from his Liberal Party (LIB) predecessor of 11 years, the Honourable Mr. John Howard. ANC Australia’s pre-election activities included meetings with candidates in Armenian-populated seats and friends of the community, where local and community issues were discussed. Jason Clare (ALP) was welcomed into Parliament after winning the seat of Blaxland, while Anthony Albanese (ALP-Grayndler), Alexander Downer (LIB-Mayo), Alan Griffin (ALP-Bruce), Bronwyn Bishop (LIB-Mackellar), Brendan Nelson (LIB-Bradfield), Chris Bowen (ALP-Prospect), Joel Fitzgibbon (ALP-Hunter), Joe Hockey (LIB-North Sydney), Julia Irwin (ALP-Fowler), Phillip Ruddock (LIB-Berowra), Robert McClelland (ALP-Barton) and Tony Abbott (LIB-Warringah), all retained their respective seats. “We congratulate the new Prime Minister, Mr. Kevin Rudd, and all elected Members,” said ANC Australia President, Mr. Varant Meguerditchian. “We look forward to working with them in the coming term to advance the concerns of the Armenian-Australian community.” He added: “Our meetings ahead of the election yielded positive results; with Members committing to work with the ANC in reaching satisfactory resolutions on the key issues concerning our community.” The result of the NSW electorate of Bennelong is still unclear as counting continues today. However, it is likely that Labor candidate Ms Maxine McKew will win the seat from outgoing Prime Minister Howard in the electorate that boasts Australia’s largest concentration of Armenian-Australians.