Turkish Invasion of Cyprus

The Hon. A. MICHAELS (Enfield—Minister for Small and Family Business, Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs, Minister for Arts) (15:19): Many in this chamber are aware of my family's history and background and today I want to touch on something that has been raised in the media in recent days. As you know, my family came from the village of Eptakomi in the north-east of Cyprus. In the mid-1970s, that village had a population of about 900 people, including my parents, two brothers, grandparents, uncles and aunties and others.

On 20 July 1974, the Turkish military invaded the island of Cyprus and over the next month about 150,000 Greek Cypriots, including my family, were displaced. As a result of the invasion, one in three Cypriots became refugees. For my family, it meant jumping in a car in the middle of the night, fleeing to the other side of the island to escape Turkish gunfire.

During the course of the invasion and subsequent occupation, many Greek Cypriots lost their lives defending their country. In fact, more than 2,000 Greek Cypriots were shipped off to Turkey as prisoners of war, many of whom were never released. Still to this day there remain some 1,500 Greek Cypriots who remain missing, unaccounted for.

The Turkish government has thumbed its nose at the condemnation of its actions in Cyprus for the last 50 years. Turkey's actions continue to have real-life implications for Greek Cypriots, both those who live on the island and those who were forced to flee. The Turkish government continues to suppress dissent and has taken moves to restrict artistic expression in relation to the invasion in recent weeks. During the second phase of the Turkish invasion in Cyprus, Turkish aircraft bombed the city of Famagusta and after a two-day campaign occupied the city. As a result of the Turkish air strikes, dozens of civilians died, including tourists.

Earlier this year, a Greek and Cypriot television co-production entitled Famagusta dealing with the Turkish invasion was aired across Greece. The story starts on a summer's day in 1974 on the day of the invasion of Famagusta where a young couple are forced to leave their home. In amongst that chaos, they lose their three-month-old baby in the process. It is a series that I understand is very powerful and one that I think we should all be exposed to.

Netflix had, in fact, picked up this series and publicly set a date to stream it internationally from 20 September. This was seen as a fantastic coup for both the Greek and Cypriot screen sectors in both Greece and Cyprus. Mr Speaker, you will not be surprised to hear that the Turkish government is not a fan of the TV series, Famagusta, and the story of a couple who have searched for their child for the past 50 years.

From media reports, Turkey has lobbied Netflix seeking to prevent it from streaming Famagusta not only in Turkey but around the world. The story of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus is a story that needs to be told widely. It is a story that can be used to fight to reunify my family's homeland.

In recent days, quite frankly, I have been shocked and appalled by the reports that Netflix has acquiesced to demands of the Turkish government and I certainly hope that those media reports are untrue. The reports are that Netflix has agreed to restrict the streaming of Famagusta to within the borders of Greece only. I am concerned, of course, about attempts to limit the storytelling of those who were killed and those who continue to suffer due to the actions of the Turkish government. Cyprus's President, Nikos Christodoulides, said in response to Netflix's reported decision:

Apart from recording the truth, no-one can question the Turkish invasion in 1974. [The series] also sends very important messages for those who happened to watch it…It sends messages about the need to resolve the Cyprus problem and about relations between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

But as well as my personal concern and my personal story that has raised these concerns, I have deep concerns as arts minister. I hold grave concerns about limiting artistic expression at the behest of a national level government, and not only limits of artistic expression in that country but suggestions that it could impact on democratic countries like Australia.

Mr Speaker, as you know, art is inherently political. Governments that impose restrictions on artistic expression are directly seeking to restrict political discourse. The arts play an important role in promoting freedom of expression and enhancing civic engagement. These are all necessary for a vibrant democracy. Turkey's reported actions to compel Netflix to restrict the broader streaming of Famagusta outside of Greece is in my view an attack on our own political freedoms.