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SYDNEY: Friend of the Armenian-Australian community and advocate for recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Ms Maxine McKew (ALP), declared herself the victor in the Federal Electorate of Bennelong over the weekend. Following seven days of counting, and with a lead of only 2,100 votes, Ms McKew secured the seat that boasts the largest population of Armenian-Australians. “I can now say that with 51.2 per cent of the two-party vote, Bennelong is now a Labor seat for the first time,” she announced to press gathered outside her Eastwood office. Upon announcement of the result, Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia) President, Mr. Varant Meguerditchian called to congratulate Ms McKew on her historic achievement. “Ms McKew had wide appeal among the 4,000 Armenian-Australian voters of Bennelong due to her community focus and leadership concerning Federal recognition of the Armenian Genocide,” Mr. Meguerditchian said. The newly-elected Member for Bennelong had established her position concerning Armenian Genocide recognition in a pre-election meeting with an ANC Australia delegation. “The Armenian-Australian community has a kindred spirit in me and if elected, I will advocate for recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the Government of Australia,” Ms McKew said. Mr. Meguerditchian said ANC Australia looked forward to working with the former ABC journalist, who will assume the responsibility of Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in the newly-established Cabinet. “Recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide is the first step toward ensuring against the repeat of such hateful crimes,” claimed Mr Meguerditchian. “We look forward to working closely with Ms McKew regarding this issue and wish her well in her new role as Member for Bennelong.”