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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 13 Hansard (26 November) . . Page.. 4707 ..

MR HARGREAVES (continuing):

knowing that the people of Canberra are concerned about the ongoing violations of human rights in Cyprus and are in solidarity with the feelings of Canberrans of Cypriot background.

Mr Deputy Speaker, these people have been disenfranchised since 1974. They have borne the pain since 1974. They have seen their beloved homeland divided, arbitrarily split through military incursion. The people don't want extra territory; they want their country back. They want to be independent, as a world-recognised country, and they want the same sovereignty that you and I enjoy. They want to be a united and unified country taking its place in the European Union. They want a unified Cyprus to bring the people together to protect its rich and ancient history and they want all Cypriots to celebrate the language, the colour, the dress-the things that make Cyprus excel.

If Australians were to suffer what the Cypriots have suffered, Mr Deputy Speaker, they would, by international reputation, fight like hell. The fighting should stop. The differences should be settled, the people reunited and left in peace, Mr Deputy Speaker.

I note that the Leader of the Opposition has foreshadowed an amendment to remove the reference to a minister and direct it to the Prime Minister, and I will just signal support for that amendment. I thank the Leader of the Opposition very sincerely for it, and I commend the motion to the Assembly.

MRS CROSS (5.14): I would like to thank Mr Hargreaves for this motion. This is indeed a motion close to my heart. In 1977 I was completing tertiary studies in Sydney when I met a Greek Cypriot girl whose family had been driven out of her country, Cyprus, in 1974 by the Turks. I had not, until that time of my life, met anyone who made as much of an impact on me as this young woman, a woman whose family had been displaced in the most horrendous circumstances. They lost their homes, their livelihoods, their heritage and loved ones.

From the comfort of my country, Australia, I was shocked to learn of the savage way in which their lives were thrown into turmoil, and indeed it had me questioning the value of life and freedom. This was not alien to me, given Turkey's occupation of Greece for 400 years. However, I never expected to see it happen in my lifetime and witness the effects on innocent people.

I grew up a very proud Australian of Greek origin, learning of the history that was my family's heritage and the connection of the Greek and Cypriot peoples. It is about 30 years since Turkey sent in tens of thousands of troops to drive Greek Cypriots out of the north-eastern part of Cyprus, while at the same time smashing churches, monuments, buildings and places of great antiquity. And they are still there. This is despite condemnation from many corners of the world, including the European Union, which Turkey is eager to join. Yet they seem incapable of taking any positive steps to do something that would help their entry to the EU.

In May 2004 Cyprus will be admitted into the European Union. Cyprus had worked long and hard to join the community of European nations. In fact, it was more than 10 years ago that the then president, George Vasiliou, lodged the island's application for membership.

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