SYDNEY: Over the last month, the peak public affairs body of the Armenian-Australian community, the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU) met with candidates vying for state electoral seats in New South Wales’s (NSW) most Armenian-populated electorates.
Armenian-Australian community members over the age of 18 are required to participate in the NSW State Elections, which are scheduled for Saturday 25th March 2023. Click here to find out where to vote on election day.
The following Election Guide is to inform Armenian-Australians before they cast their votes on polling day, equipped with the statements and commitments from candidates vying to form part of the 58th NSW Parliament.
The electorate of Ryde occupies an area of 28 square kilometres and is the most densely populated Armenian electorate in Australia’s largest state. The electorate includes the largest concentration of Armenian-Australians, living in Ryde, Meadowbank, Denistone, West Ryde, North Ryde, Marsfield, Eastwood and parts of Carlingford. It is home to the Homenetmen Ararat Scouts Hall, many Armenian chapters of organisations and a Saturday school. It also houses a large number of students who attend Galstaun College, the community’s largest everyday school.
Victor Dominello, who has held the seat of Ryde since 2008, will not be contesting the 2023 Election.
Jordan Lane
The NSW Liberal Party has preselected Jordan Lane to run for the seat of Ryde.
As a councillor and former Mayor of the City of Ryde, Lane has forged a close relationship with the Armenian-Australian community. Since his election to Ryde City Council in 2017, Lane has supported global priorities for the Armenian-Australian community, as well as the local community. As a member of the Australian Friends of Artsakh network, Lane has supported several motions in the Ryde City Council, which saw Ryde become the first local government to recognise the Republic of Artsakh and establish a sister city relationship with Artsakh’s capital Stepanakert. In May 2022, Lane also championed a Mayoral Motion to host the first official Artsakh flag-raising ceremony in Australia and, in March 2023, supported a motion by Ryde City Council delivering $10,000 to the Armenian-Australian community’s Syria Earthquake relief efforts.
Commitments:
Having met with the Armenian National Committee of Australia, Jordan Lane has pledged to:
Join the NSW Armenia-Australia Friendship Group;
Participate in a delegation to the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh;
Support Federal recognition of the Armenian Genocide and mandating Armenian Genocide education in the NSW curriculum;
Continuing to support the people's right to self-determination of the Republic of Artsakh;
Support the Armenian-Australian community structures and organisations; and
Assisted in securing a $100,000 pledge from the Liberal National Coalition for the Armenian-Australian Archives Project.
Lyndal Howison
The NSW Labor Party has chosen Lyndal Howison to run for the seat of Ryde. Howison is a high school teacher in Western Sydney and a former Leichhardt Councillor, having raised her family in Ryde for the last 10 years.
Having met with the Armenian National Committee of Australia, Lyndal Howison has pledged to:
Commitments:
Join the NSW Armenia-Australia Friendship Group;
Support Federal recognition of the Armenian Genocide and raise mandating Armenian Genocide education with the relevant departments;
Support the people's right to self-determination of the Republic of Artsakh.
The electorate of Willoughby occupies an area of 28 square kilometres, covering the heavily Armenian-populated areas of Willoughby, Castlecrag and Chatswood. The Armenian Cultural Centre, Armenian Apostolic Church and Armenian Evangelical Church are located within the electorate of Willoughby, as well as many regional bodies and chapters of Armenian-Australian organisations, and a Saturday school. A large number of Galstaun College students also call Willoughby home.
The seat is currently held by Tim James on a margin of 3.3%.
Tim James
Following former Premier, Armenian-Australian Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation from the state parliament, NSW Liberal Party member Tim James was elected at the February 2022 Willoughby by-election.
Since his election to the NSW Parliament, James has firmly backed issues of importance to the Armenian-Australian community. James is a member of the NSW Armenia-Australia Friendship Group and has risen in Parliament on several occasions to speak about the important contributions Armenian-Australians have made to the electorate of Willoughby. As a member of the Friends of Artsakh network, James has risen in the NSW Parliament to speak in support of Federal recognition of the Armenian Genocide and in support of the security of Armenia and Artsakh, as well as the rights to self-determination of the people of the Republic of Artsakh. In addition, James has regularly condemned Azerbaijan’s aggression against Armenia via public statements.
Commitments:
Having met with the Armenian National Committee of Australia, Tim James has pledged to:
Assume a more senior leadership role in the NSW Armenia-Australia Friendship Group;
Participate in a delegation to the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh;
Support Federal recognition of the Armenian Genocide and mandating Armenian Genocide education in the NSW curriculum;
Continue to support the people's right to self-determination of the Republic of Artsakh;
Support the Armenian-Australian community structures and organisations;
Assisted in securing a $100,000 pledge from the Liberal National Coalition for the Armenian-Australian Archives Project.
Larissa Penn
Larissa Penn is an independent running for the seat of Willoughby, having grown up and lived in the local area her whole life. This is her third contest for the seat of Willoughby.
The Armenian National Committee of Australia met with Larissa Penn, who has committed to engaging in dialogue with the Armenian-Australian community. She is aware of the concerns raised by the community.
The electorate of Lane Cove covers 36 square kilometres. Lane Cove includes Greenwich, Longueville, Linley Point, Lane Cove Woolwich, Hunters Hill, Gladesville, Tennyson Point, Putney and parts of St Leonards, Lane Cove North and East Ryde.
Since 1950, Lane Cove has been a safe Liberal seat and, since 2003, has been held by Anthony Roberts.
Anthony Roberts
Over the years, Roberts has met with ANC Australia on a number of occasions and attended Armenian Genocide commemorative events.
Commitments:
Having met with the Armenian National Committee of Australia, Anthony Roberts has pledged to:
Join the NSW Armenia-Australia Friendship Group;
Support Federal recognition of the Armenian Genocide and mandating Armenian Genocide education in the NSW curriculum;
Support the people's right to self-determination of the Republic of Artsakh and speak in support of the people of Artsakh in the NSW Parliament.
Victoria Davidson
Victoria Davidson is the community independent running in the seat of Lane Cove. She has lived in the area for over 15 years and is a small local business owner.
Commitments:
Having met with the Armenian National Committee of Australia, Victoria Davidson has pledged to:
Join the NSW Armenia-Australia Friendship Group;
Participate in a delegation to the Republic of Armenia;
Support Federal recognition of the Armenian Genocide and mandating Armenian Genocide in the NSW Curriculum;
Support the people’s right to self-determination of the Republic of Artsakh.
The electorate of Pittwater covers approximately 191 square kilometres and includes the suburbs of Ingleside, Mona Vale, Church Point, Newport, Avalon and Palm Beach, Duffys Forest, Terrey Hills and most of the Ku-ring-gai National Park.
The retiring Liberal MP is Rob Stokes, who has represented this seat since 2007.
Rory Amon
Amon is a family law solicitor and has served the local Pittwater ward on the Northern Beaches Council since 2017. As a lifelong Northern Beaches resident, he is running as the NSW Party Liberal candidate for Pittwater.
Commitments:
Having met with the Armenian National Committee of Australia, Rory Amon has pledged to:
Join the NSW Armenia-Australia Friendship Group;
Support Federal recognition of the Armenian Genocide and mandating Armenian Genocide in the NSW Curriculum;
Support the people’s right to self-determination of the Republic of Artsakh;
Support the Armenian-Australian community structures and organisations.
Jacquie Scruby
Scruby is a sustainability consultant and former environmental lawyer and, before announcing her run for Pittwater, worked as a senior adviser to Dr Sophie Scamps, who won the local seat of Mackellar at last year's Federal election. Scruby is running as a community independent for Pittwater.
Commitments:
Having met with the Armenian National Committee of Australia, Jacquie Scruby has pledged to:
Join the NSW Armenia-Australia Friendship Group;
Support for Federal recognition of the Armenian Genocide and mandating Armenian Genocide education in the NSW Curriculum;
Support the people's right to self-determination of the Republic of Artsakh;
Support the Armenian-Australian community structures and organisations.
The electoral district of Davidson covers 74 square kilometres, including parts of the heavily Armenian-populated suburbs of Belrose, Frenchs Forest and Davidson.
The retiring Liberal MP is a close friend of the Armenian-Australian community and former Chair of the NSW Armenia-Australia Friendship Group, Jonathan O'Dea, who has represented this seat since 2007.
Matt Cross
Matt Cross was raised on the Upper North Shore and lives in the electorate. He has worked as a former staff member at the offices of Premier Barry O’Farrell and Bruce Baird. Cross attended the launch of the Armenia-Australia Inter-Parliamentary Union in Canberra in 2022.
Commitments:
Having met with the Armenian National Committee of Australia, Matt Cross has pledged to:
Join the NSW Armenia-Australia Friendship Group;
Participate in a delegation to the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh;
Support Federal recognition of the Armenian Genocide and mandating Armenian Genocide in the NSW Curriculum;
Support the people’s right to self-determination of the Republic of Artsakh;
Support the Armenian-Australian community structures and organisations;
Assisted in securing a $100,000 pledge from the Liberal National Coalition for the Armenian-Australian Archives Project.
The electorate of Prospect occupies an area of 65 square kilometres, covering the heavily Armenian-populated areas of Smithfield and Wetherill Park.
Hugh McDermott
Since 2015, the seat of Prospect has been held by New South Wales (NSW) Labor Party member Dr Hugh McDermott.
McDermott has a strong record supporting Armenian-Australian issues. He is a member of the NSW Armenia-Australian Parliamentary Friendship Group and the only current candidate to have visited the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh, after which he was placed on Azerbaijan’s dictator Ilham Aliyev’s persona non grata blacklist.
McDermott has advocated for federal recognition of the 1915 Armenian Genocide and, as a member of the Australian Friends of Artsakh network, championed a motion in 2020 which saw the NSW Legislative Assembly recognise the independence of the Republic of Artsakh and the indigenous people’s rights to self-determination. On numerous occasions, he has risen in the NSW Legislative Assembly to speak out against Azerbaijan’s ongoing aggression since the 2022 Armenia-Azerbaijan war. Dr McDermott has also supported the local Homenetmen Navasart chapter by helping the organisation with funding to provide further services to the community.
Commitments:
Having met with the Armenian National Committee of Australia, Hugh McDermott has pledged to:
Assume a more senior leadership role in the NSW Armenia-Australia Friendship Group;
Participate in a delegation to the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh;
Support federal recognition of the Armenian Genocide and mandating Armenian Genocide education in the NSW curriculum;
Continue to support the people's right to self-determination of the Republic of Artsakh;
Support the Armenian-Australian community structures and organisations.
Winston Hills
The seat of Winston Hills is a new seat previously named Seven Hills. The seat covers an area of 25 square kilometres, including the suburbs of Northmead, Winston Hills, Constitution Hill, Old Toongabbie, Glenwood, Lalor Park, Kings Langley and parts of Seven Hills, Toongabbie and Wentworthville. The Armenian National Committee of Australia met Labor candidate for Winston Hills, Sameer Pandey, who affirmed his commitment to support the Armenian-Australian community.
Riverstone
The electorate of Riverstone occupies approximately 50 square kilometres in the northern parts of Blacktown City Council. It includes the suburbs of Parklea, Stanhope Gardens, Acacia Gardens, Kellyville Ridge, The Ponds, Quakers Hill, Schofields and Riverstone. The Armenian National Committee of Australia met with the Liberal candidate for Riverstone, Mohit Kumar, who affirmed his commitment to support the Armenian-Australian community.
Fairfield
The electorate of Fairfield covers approximately 30 square kilometres, including the suburbs of Fairfield, Canley Heights, Wakeley, Fairfield West, Fairfield East, Carramar and Villawood. It also covers parts of Yennora, Chester Hill, Bass Hill and Georges Hall. The retiring Labor MP is Guy Zangari, who has held the seat since 2011. The Armenian National Committee of Australia spoke with the Labor candidate for Fairfield, David Salibah, who affirmed his commitment to support the Armenian-Australian community.
Leppington
The electorate of Leppington is a new seat with no current sitting MP. It covers 127 square kilometres. The Armenian National Committee of Australia met with Nathan Haggarty, who has been a Liverpool City Councillor since 2016. The Armenian National Committee of Australia was given the opportunity to present issues of concern to the community.
Parramatta
The electorate of Parramatta covers approximately 38 square kilometres and includes the growing Armenian-populated suburbs of Rydalmere, Ermington and Dundas. The retiring Liberal MP is Geoff Lee. The Armenian National Committee of Australia met with Donna Davis, who was elected to the Parramatta City Council in 2017 and appointed Mayor in January 2022. The Armenian National Committee of Australia was given the opportunity to present issues of concern to the community.
POLITICAL PARTIES
The Liberal National Coalition, in an effort led by the Member for Willoughby Tim James and supported by candidates Jordan Lane (Ryde) and Matt Cross (Davidson), pledged to commit $100,000 in funding for the Armenian-Australian Archives Project.
The Armenian-Australian Archives Project aims to research, preserve and promote the social, cultural, historical and economic contributions Armenians have had in New South Wales in both public and private life, document the past, present and future and educate and share the Armenian-Australian story to enrich the understanding of the community.
A portion of the commitment will go towards upgrading the Galstaun College school library to provide students with a unique opportunity to participate in the development and implementation of the project.
