ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Mr PISONI (Unley) (15:30): I rise to remember the Armenian genocide. On 24 April 1915 the persecution, displacement and killing of Armenians in Asia Minor began. It is estimated that 1.5 million Armenians died between 1915 and 1923, and the entire landmass of Asia Minor had been rid of its Armenian population. As difficult as it is to comprehend today, there is no doubt the genocide was the result of a deliberate policy of the young Turk government of the day. However, despite all the evidence and international pressure, the Turkish government continues to deny that the Armenian genocide occurred.

Many people have spoken eloquently about the horror of the genocide and the injustice of the denial. In 2009 this parliament moved to recognise the Armenian genocide and the motion received bipartisan support. I was proud to be a part of that debate but today I simply want to give my heartfelt support to South Australia's Armenian community at this difficult time. I know they have found a safe and welcoming home here in South Australia but, despite living safely here, I know there still exists a pain in their hearts that lives like a ghost that cannot move on.

It seems a cruel accident of fate that the peoples of Australia and Armenia observe, just one day apart, what are arguably the most important events of their histories. Our peoples are bound by tragedy but the tragedy of the Armenian people, of course, is so much more harrowing. It is hard to believe that the Australian and Armenian views of the Turkish government of the time could be so different. In Australia we view the Turks of Gallipoli as a noble foe who fought through a tragedy that neither side wanted or deserved. An important development in the relationship after that were the words of recognition uttered by Ataturk in 1934 and later immortalised at the memorial at Anzac Cove.

The memorial and the words themselves are incredibly moving and, above all, healing—so why have the Armenian people not been afforded the same respect and the same chance to grieve and heal as we have. Surely their suffering was greater than ours. Perhaps the wrongs of 1915 through to 1923 were so great that it is easier to forget or deny them than to face up to what your ancestors have done. Perhaps there is a vain hope that over time the grief will just go away and the issue will never have to be dealt with. However, our sins cast long shadows and it is time for the Turkish government to come out from its shadow and into the light.

In no way do I hold the current Turkish government responsible for the genocide, nor do I seek to demonise the Turkish people or the Turkish community in South Australia, but I call on the Turkish government to take the first steps in recognising the genocide. Recognition is a slow process—as we in Australia know—but it must begin now and then the healing can begin for both sides and the ghosts of the past can move on. The Armenian people always remember the pain of the past but they do not deserve to still be haunted by it.