Andrew Giles (Scullin, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Cities and Urban Infrastructure) Share this | Hansard source

I was getting close to concluding. While I appreciate the steps that have been undertaken to offer refuge to people forced to flee the conflict, I just wanted to recognise again that we can do more, and we should, in doing more, listen to those voices closest to the ground and think about some of the steps that other wealthy countries that are also convention signatories have been taking, to assist people in such desperate need. I note that we can't take for granted living in a peaceful and rules based world—

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I'll conclude by making two last remarks. Firstly, my thoughts are also with the Russian Australian community, for whom this is a very difficult time too. I know that the vast majority of that community look with horror at the events of the invasion and its consequences.

The last point is this. I spoke about solidarity and resolve for things that we need to show. We'll have a great opportunity to do so tomorrow when President Zelenskyy, who has been an inspiration to us all, addresses the parliament and no doubt will give us more opportunity to think about what we can do to lend our support to a just cause and a people in need.

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