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Australian MPs Raise Artsakh Issue and Ethnic Cleansing for the First Time in Victorian Parliament

Sunday, 15 October 2023

MELBOURNE: Following the historic participation of two Victorian state MPs in the Australian Parliamentary Delegation to the Republic of Armenia, Kim Wells MP - Member for Rowville - and Ann-Marie Hermans MP - Member for South Eastern Metropolitan Region - have risen in their respective chambers, making history as the first representatives of their state to speak about the Republic of Artsakh in the Victorian Parliament, where they addressed Azerbaijan's ethnic cleansing of Nagorno Karabakh's indigenous Armenians, reported the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU).

Wells, a member of Parliament since 1992, visited the AGBU Melbourne Community Centre in Rowville in August 2023 and committed to travelling to Armenia to learn about the people, culture, and history to deepen his understanding of issues important to the hundreds of Armenians in his local community.

Following his return this month, Wells rose in the Victorian Legislative Assembly calling on the Federal Government of Australia to support Armenia and its citizens, stating, “They not only desperately need our help, they deserve it.”

Wells described Azerbaijan’s actions as “atrocities” and said, “It is just unbelievable to me and deeply saddening when children become involved in a war. As a parent myself, I can not think of a worse position to be in than not to be able to provide food and shelter for my children… Tragically, thousands of Armenian parents are in an impossible position, fleeing from their lives from the Azerbaijan military.”

Ann-Marie Hermans, current Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Workcare and the TAC, also joined Wells in speaking about her visit to Armenia and the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh's population through both a Community Recognition Statement and Adjournment Statement.

The member for the South Eastern Metropolitan Region, who was elected to the parliament in December 2022, spoke about her close ties with the local Armenian community before accurately addressing Azerbaijan’s actions as "ethnic cleansing".

“While we were admiring all these wonderful things, we also had our hearts broken as we came across the people of Artsakh, who are being ethnically cleansed from their homes. We were there as they were allowed to leave after a 10-month siege on their entire region,” said Hermans.

“We were there as they came across the borders with their children, seven crammed into the back of a car, many coming without clothing or any essentials. Some did not even have sanitary essentials – in fact many. I could tell you so many heartbreaking stories of the people that I met. But I do thank all those who are working with the people in Armenia and with the people of Artsakh, and I ask the minister to look into helping the Armenian community,” added Hermans.

Armenian National Committee of Australia Executive Director Michael Kolokossian thanked both Wells and Hermans for their historic participation in the delegation, and for becoming the first-ever Victorian parliamentarians to speak about the Republic of Artsakh.

“To take a stand and be the first is never easy, particularly on an issue that is foreign to many people; however, having witnessed the heartwrenching reality on the ground - a humanitarian crisis caused by ethnic cleansing - Hermans and Wells became the voice of the voiceless and made history in Victoria speaking truth to power. We are extremely grateful to have them by our side during this difficult time.”