The Greek Community of Melbourne recently wrote to the Treasurer calling for his intervention in the Greek crisis.

Here is that letter:

The Hon Joe Hockey MP
Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Australia
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600

Dear Treasurer,

RE: DEBT RELIEF FOR GREECE

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) I write to you seeking your urgent support in your capacity both as a member of the Board of Governors of the International Monetry Fund (IMF) and as Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Australia, in working towards securing relief for the Hellenic Republic in its people.

The well known discussions in Europe between the Greek Government and its European creditors need a resolution. That resolution must incorporates some level of relief.

As we are sure you are aware, Gross Domestic Productivity (GDP) of the Greek nation has shrunk by 25% since 2009 when the GFC crisis hit and youth unemployment in Greece today is close to 60% that leads us to conclude that without debt relief, the Greek State is in a perilous position that will only guarantee more suffering for its long suffering people.

Whilst we understand that Greece’s obligations must be met, a future within which growth and opportunity seem only to be a thing of the past bodes for nothing more than a continued exodus out of the country of its youngest and brightest whose capacity is needed to help turn things around.

We implore you to act via whatever channels are available to you and in whatever capacity you can.

Sincerely
Bill Papastergiadis, President