CANBERRA: The Hon. Joe Hockey today delivered his
valedictory speech in the House of Representatives, bringing to an end a
distinguished career as the Federal member of North Sydney, to which he was
first elected in 1996. Hockey, who began his career as a junior minister in the
Howard Government, built a strong working relationship with the local community
in his electoral including the Armenian-Australian community. He had a very strong working with the Armenian National
Committee of Australia (ANC Australia) and was a leader in advocating Armenian
issues in the Australian Federal Parliament.
In November 2005, Hockey visited the Republic of Armenia as
Minister for Human Services and visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial. At the
site he laid a wreath, signed the Museum’s Guest Book, and planted a tree in
the Memorial Garden.
Born to an Armenian father who migrated to Australia, Hockey
has always been a strong advocate and shown great leadership for Federal
recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Being the Member for North Sydney in an Armenian populated
electorate, he has always attended to the needs of the Armenian community and
worked closely with ANC Australia on a wide range of issues. His presence at
annual Armenian Genocide commemorations, festivals, banquets and Advocacy Weeks
are a great testament to his support.
In 2007, Hockey was fundamental in securing $1.4 million of
funding for the Armenian Relief Society for support to the Gyumri Mother and
Child Health Care Centre in Armenia, which was not honoured by the successive
Rudd Government.
Hockey at the time stated: “The Australian government’s
commitment to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Armenia pays tribute to
the generosity of the Australian people and almost a century on, echoes
Australian efforts to assist Armenian refugees in the years immediately
following the Armenian Genocide.”
On October 20, 2008, Hockey made an Adjournment Speech in
the House of Representatives, publicly calling on the Commonwealth of Australia
to recognise the Armenian Genocide “for what it is, not alleged, not supposed
and not so-called”.
He again made a statement publicly on March 18, 2010 in a
Main Committee Speech, and at the same time paid tribute to Armenian Genocide
survivor, Mr. Arshag Badelian. On that day, Hockey said: “…more and more
legislatures are voting to recognise this past injustice and it is time that
Australia joined them”.
Throughout his political career, Hockey has met with various
Armenian MPs, including Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan and Minister for
Diaspora, Hranush Hakobyan to further deepen bi-lateral relations between
Australia and Armenia. He has also been Chair of the Australia-Armenia
Parliamentary Friendship Group.
In the Centenary year of the Armenian Genocide, as Treasurer
he led a number of federal parliamentarians in wearing the Armenian Genocide
Centenary Commemorative “Forget Me Not” Pin during Question Time. He also
released a public statement highlighting Australia’s involvement in relief
efforts during the Armenian Genocide, and that “Australian media were amongst
the first to recognise the Armenian Genocide occurring in the region at that
time.”
Turkish influence on the Abbott government on the eve of the
ANZAC Centenary did prevent Hockey from speaking at the Armenian Genocide
Centenary commemoration, however this did not prevent him from attending the
event at Sydney Town Hall and releasing the statement above, unequivocally
affirming the historical reality of the Armenian Genocide.
In a tribute in Parliament today, current Treasurer, Scott
Morrison commented on Hockey’s passion for his Armenian heritage and human
rights stating: “As a local member of parliament, Joe has been an outstanding
success… particularly the Armenian community in your electorate and in the
surrounding areas will have lost a great advocate in this place, and it’s up to
the rest of us to show that same passion that you have for respecting the
Armenian heritage and what happened those many years ago, and you standing up
for those issues in this place, and on behalf of that community, I think you
will forever be remembered.”
Executive Director of the ANC Australia, Vache Kahramanian
remarked: “Today the Australian parliament loses a larger than life character
from its chamber. Joe served our country with distinction and honour without
every forgetting his roots.”
“Joe was a champion of Armenian genocide recognition in the
Federal Parliament. His countless statements, speeches, community engagements,
were testament to his unwavering commitment to not only this issue, but all
Armenian related issues,” Kahramanian added.
“His counsel and guidance will be deeply missed but we wish
Joe and his family the very best in their future endeavours. No doubt his best
years of public service are still ahead of him,” Kahramanian concluded.
On behalf of the Armenian-Australian community, the Armenian
National Committee of Australia thanks Joe Hockey for his tireless efforts and
contribution to the Armenian nation, the Armenian people and to Australia.
See Joe Hockey's Valedictory Speech below:
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