Wednesday, 1 November 2023

 Natalie SULEYMAN (St Albans – Minister for Veterans, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Youth) (09:42): Melbourne was lit up in red and white on Sunday 29 October to mark the centenary of the Republic of Türkiye. One hundred years ago the world’s greatest leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk declared and founded the Republic of Türkiye. Ataturk’s modern principles of reform, progress and unity live on.

Victoria and Türkiye have a very special bond – a bond that began in the battlefields of Gallipoli and continues today. We stood side by side with Türkiye through the devastating earthquakes. We funded the official centenary celebrations together with the Turkish community, and I am very proud to have established the first Parliamentary Friends of Türkiye group in the Parliament. And this year we reintroduced the Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize, taking students on a journey to Gallipoli and Türkiye.

Victoria’s strong Turkish community really has made their mark. Whether it is in business, sports, politics, media, radio, trade or investment, they have contributed to many, many sectors. I want to thank the Consul General Doğan Işık, the ambassador Ufuk Gezer and all members of the Turkish community for celebrating the 100th anniversary of Türkiye. As Mustafa Kemal Ataturk said:

We established the republic. You are the ones who will raise it and keep it alive.

Cumhuriyet Bayraminiz kutlu olsun.