SYDNEY: The Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia) has welcomed the appointment of former New South Wales state Premier Bob Carr as the Australia's next Foreign Affairs Minister, citing his significant contributions to the Armenian Genocide recognition cause in Australia throughout his political career.
Carr was Premier of NSW when the state officially recognised the Armenian Genocide in 1997. Also, it was during Carr’s NSW Premiership that the Armenian Genocide monument was placed in the Peace Garden of the State Parliament House in 1999.
Carr, who will be formally confirmed as the choice to replace resigned Senator Mark Arbib in Federal Parliament in coming days, is well familiar with the historical reality of the Armenian Genocide and has participated as keynote speaker in commemorations organised by the Armenian community in the past.
Carr is also a past recipient of the ANC Australia Friend of the Armenian Community Award.
“It is deeply gratifying to see that Australia’s new Foreign Affairs Minister is an official who has a track record in standing firm on the side of justice and human rights,” said ANC Australia Executive Director Varant Meguerditchian.
“We urge Mr. Carr to champion, in his new role, the same principles he upheld as Premier of NSW. We are confident that his appointment as Foreign Affairs Minister brings Australia a step closer to recognising the Armenian Genocide.”
BOB CARR on the Armenian Genocide
In 1997, as supporter of the NSW State Armenian Genocide motion:
“The genocide of 1.5 million Armenians at the hands of the Young Turk government from 1915 was a purposeful attempt to eradicate the Armenian people.”
In 1999, on the erection of the Armenian Genocide memorial monument inside State Parliament House:
"The Memorial does provide for all those that visit Parliament House a reminder of what happened in 1915. I'd like to think that this State, this Parliament, has taken the lead in this acknowledgement."
