[Pic: A delegation from Artsakh, including Davit Ishkhanyan MP and Foreign Minister Masis Mayilyan meet Di Natale in 2019]CANBERRA: The Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU) has thanked the outgoing leader of The Australian Greens in Federal Parliament, Senator Richard Di Natale and congratulated his replacement Mr. Adam Bandt on behalf of Armenian-Australians.
During Di Natale's term of leadership, The Australian Greens adopted a party position calling on Australia to formally recognise the Armenian Genocide. The Victorian has also proven himself a genuine supporter of the rights to self-determination for the Armenian Republic of Artsakh, joining the Australian Friends of Artsakh network and hosting meetings with visiting delegations from Stepanakert.
"We have always been encouraged by Senator Di Natale's principled positioning on human rights issues of importance to our community," said ANC-AU Executive Director Haig Kayserian. "These include our fight for justice for the Armenian Genocide and for the rights to self-determination for the people of the Republic of Artsakh."
"When meeting visiting delegations from Artsakh, Senator Di Natale always showed great sympathy for their troubles and expressed genuine admiration for their resilience."
"We appreciate his friendship, the commitment of his staff to helping advance issues important to humanity, and we look forward to continuing our warm relationship following Senator Di Natale's resignation as leader of his parliamentary party and upcoming exit from the parliament."
Di Natale has been replaced as the leader of The Australian Greens in Federal Parliament by Member for Melbourne, Adam Bandt, who also supports the battle for Australia to recognise the Armenian Genocide.
"We congratulate Mr. Bandt on his ascension to the leadership and look forward to continuing our community's friendship with the Greens," added Kayserian.
