Member for Watson, Tony Burke, and Member for Grayndler, Anthony Albanese, today tabled a Notice of Motion in the Australian Parliament calling for the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles.
The motion calls on the Parliament to note the cultural and artistic significance of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece and the public support around the world for the return of the marbles.
The motion also calls on the British Museum to recognise the ability of Greece to store and display the Parthenon Marbles held by the museum in the Acropolis Museum in Athens, and calls on the British Museum to return the Parthenon Marbles to Greece.
With speculation about a possible July 2 election, this week may be the last opportunity for such a motion to be placed on the Parliamentary Notice Paper before the next Federal Election.
Mr Burke said the motion was an important step in the campaign to develop broad support in the global community.
“This is an issue that resonates with people around the world and we must, as a Parliament, show our support,” Mr Burke said.
“Theft is theft, the marbles have one home and it’s not in London.”
Mr Albanese said this was an issue of justice.
“Their return to Greece is the right thing to do and would correct a historic wrong.”
Labor’s Candidate for Barton, Linda Burney, said the return of the marbles was an important issue to Greeks around the world.
“The return of the Parthenon Marbles is a cause I will be advocating for if elected as the Member for Barton,” Ms Burney said.
“The Parthenon Marbles are important to Greeks around the world and they should be returned to their rightful place.”
All three MPs acknowledged the work of Australians for the Return of the Parthenon Sculptures in raising awareness of this issue.
“Australians for the Return of the Parthenon Sculptures have played an important role in raising awareness across the Parliament about this issue and I look forward to their continued advocacy for the return of the Parthenon Marbles in this Parliament and the next,” Mr Burke said.