John Alexander (Bennelong, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Culturally diverse, Bennelong is the proud home of our nation's largest community of Armenian-Australians. This community may be comparatively small, but the positive contribution that they make is significant. From political representation—such as the New South Wales Treasurer, Gladys Berejiklian, and Ryde councillors Artin Etmekdjian and Sarkis Yedelian—through to local restaurant owners, accountants, lawyers and even my excellent car mechanic, the gentle, smart and honest character traits shared by so many Armenian-Australians pervades the Bennelong community.

Earlier today, I was fortunate to meet with a delegation including representatives from the Armenian National Committee and Mr Kaylar Michaelian, a former principal of Galstaun College, who has recently been appointed as the new permanent representative of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh to Australia. With them was Mr Davit Ishkhanyan, a member of the parliament from Nagorno-Karabakh, which is also known as Artsakh.

This republic recently celebrated 24 years of independence. With its significant majority of ethnic Armenians, it enjoys a democratic system of government and a commitment to human rights and free press that lies in stark contrast to its closest neighbour, Azerbaijan. I join many in hoping that a peaceful resolution can be found to the conflict in that region, and, on behalf of my constituents in Bennelong, I welcome Mr Ishkhanyan to our parliament. Welcome.