The ancient scultures are currently on display in a British museum, and former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett has long called for their return to their homeland.

Mr Bracks told the 2002 Antipodes Festival Glendi in Melbourne that all state politicians on overseas trips will be required to raise the issue with British or Commonwealth politicians.

He told the crowd his Government would do all it could to ensure the marbles' return to Athens in time for the 2004 Olympic Games.

*Everything we fund for an overseas trip for a state parliamentarian, whether it's a commonwealth parliamentary association trip, or a minister going overseas, or a parliamentarian is going over with state funds, and if they're meeting a British parliamentarian, or the COmmonwealth parliamentary association, they will now be required to raise the matter of the return of the Parthenon marbles and to return it before 2004.*

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