SYDNEY: Australia is facing a hung parliament as both the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and the Liberal and National Coalition (COA) were unable to win the 76 seats required to form government in their own right.
With nearly 80% of votes counted, the ALP has won 70 seats in the House of Representatives and the COA 72. The Greens have won 1 seat, which is a first-ever for the leading minor party in Australia. The number of Independents sits at 4.
While a handful of seats remain undecided, it is clear that negotiations with the Greens representative and the Independents will determine whether the ALP or the COA will provide Australia with its next government and Prime Minister.
In one of the most dramatic elections in recent history, the largest Armenian-populated seat of Bennelong - which covers the Ryde suburbs many Armenians call home - has changed leaders, with Maxine McKew (ALP) making way for former Tennis champion John Alexander (COA).
The Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia) had met with both candidates prior to the election and given both the tick of approval due to their genuine attention to Armenian issues, including advocacy of Armenian Genocide recognition by the government of Australia.
ANC Australia Executive Director Varant Meguerditchian said: "We wish to thank Ms McKew for her service to Australian-Armenians and wish her best in her future endeavours.
"After meeting with Mr. Alexander, we have no doubt that citizens of Bennelong will have a strong supporter of Armenian issues as their next member in the House of Representatives."
ANC Australia was also pleased to report the following key results for Armenian-Australians:
- Armenian Genocide recognition advocate and past winner of ANC Australia's 'Armenian-Australian Community Friend of the Year' award, Joe Hockey (COA) has been returned as the Member for North Sydney;
- Chris Bowen (ALP), whose electorate of McMahon (previously Prospect) covers Armenian-populated areas in the Western Suburbs, has won his seat;
- The man who could still be Prime Minister, Tony Abbott (COA) has been returned to his seat of Warringah;
- The citizens of Mackellar, which covers Armenian-populated suburbs such as Belrose and Frenchs Forest, has re-elected Bronwyn Bishop (COA) as its member;
- Another advocate of Armenian Genocide recognition, Paul Fletcher (COA), has been returned as the Member for Bradfield with an increased majority; and
- Jason Clare (ALP) has retained his seat of Blaxland.
ANC Australia's pre-election activities had included meetings with all the aforementioned candidates where recognition of the Armenian Genocide, as well as local and community issues, were discussed.
"Our meetings ahead of the election lay a solid foundation for the satisfactory resolution of key issues concerning Armenian-Australians." added Meguerditchian.
He added: "We trust the coming term will bring with it an unprecedented push for recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the Federal Government of Australia."
