NSW Parliament Raises the Future of the Nineveh Plains Following Assyrian Policy Summit

SYDNEY, NSW — The Assyrian National Council – Australia Inc. (ANCA) welcomes the parliamentary efforts of Dr Hugh McDermott MP, Member for Prospect, who tabled a motion in the NSW Parliament on 13 October 2026 concerning the future of the Nineveh Plains and the rights of the Indigenous Assyrian people, followed by a parliamentary speech on 15 October highlighting the historical, cultural and contemporary significance of the region.

These parliamentary actions represent an important step in advancing the concerns of the Assyrian Australian community and reflect a commitment made by Dr McDermott at the Assyrian Policy Summit on the Future of the Nineveh Plains, held at Australian Parliament House in Canberra on 1 July 2026. The summit was organised by the ANCA and its subsidiary, The Young Assyrians (TYA).

In his speech, Dr McDermott highlighted the repeated persecution and displacement experienced by Assyrians, from the Assyrian Genocide (Seyfo) and the Simele massacre of 1933 to the atrocities committed by ISIS in 2014.

He emphasised the urgent need to protect property rights, support the safe and voluntary return of displaced people, strengthen security, preserve cultural and linguistic heritage, and create sustainable economic opportunities.

Dr McDermott also referred to Article 125 of the Iraqi Constitution, which recognises the administrative, political, cultural and educational rights of Assyrians and other constituent communities.

He called for constructive engagement by the Australian Government with Iraq and international partners to support peaceful, constitutional and democratic solutions, including meaningful local governance in the Nineveh Plains.

Importantly, Dr McDermott encouraged further consideration of this issue at the Commonwealth level, including the possibility of a similar motion being brought before the Federal Parliament.

Such action would provide an opportunity to raise Australia's commitment to the protection of the Nineveh Plains' historic communities and their legitimate rights.

Mr Hermiz Shahen, President of ANCA, expressed his sincere appreciation to Dr McDermott for following through on his commitment and for continuing to raise the Assyrian cause within the Australian Parliament.

“Dr McDermott’s actions demonstrate the importance of sustained parliamentary engagement in bringing the concerns of the Assyrian people to the attention of Australian policymakers. We are grateful for his support and for his recognition that the future of the Nineveh Plains is not merely a matter of ancient history, but a contemporary question of human dignity, security, justice and the survival of an indigenous people in their ancestral homeland,” Mr Shahen said.

The ANCA has consistently advocated for the protection of Assyrian national rights in Iraq through engagement with Australian federal and state parliamentarians, government representatives and international partners.

Its ongoing efforts seek to promote the implementation of constitutional protections, the restitution of unlawfully confiscated property, the safe return of displaced Assyrians, meaningful political representation, and effective local self-administration within Iraq's constitutional and federal framework.

The ANCA maintains that these objectives are not intended to exclude other communities or undermine Iraq's sovereignty.

Rather, they seek to ensure that Assyrians and all other historic communities of the Nineveh Plains can live securely, preserve their identities, participate meaningfully in public life and build a sustainable future for their children.

The ANCA will continue working with Australian parliamentarians and relevant stakeholders to advance these objectives, including supporting further parliamentary consideration at the Federal level.

“The future of the Nineveh Plains must be secured not only by preserving its ancient heritage, but by protecting the people who have sustained that heritage across generations.”