Steve Georganas (Adelaide, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this House:

(1) notes that 24 August 2025 marks three and a half years since Russia's illegal, immoral and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine;

(2) reaffirms Australia's continued support for Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity;

(3) condemns Russia's:

(a) attacks on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity since Ukraine gained independence in 1991;

(b) backing of separatist militias in the Donbas;

(c) illegal attempted annexation of Crimea; and

(d) full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as well as its interference in Ukraine's domestic politics;

(4) supports:

(a) the Government's:

(i) efforts since the full-scale invasion to provide military, humanitarian, energy, reconstruction and recovery assistance to Ukraine; and

(ii) measures that impose costs on Russia for its violations of international law, including trade sanctions and targeted financial sanctions; and

(b) Australia's continued calls on Russia to fulfil its obligations under international humanitarian law and end its illegal invasion of Ukraine; and

(5) endorses the Government's commitment to continue to support a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.

I'll just start off by saying Friday 24 February 2022 was a very dark day in human history. On this day, just over 3½ years ago, the world witnessed in dismay the full-scale, unlawful, illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia. What we saw that day—and it's been going on for 3½ years now—was the illegal invasion of a sovereign nation by brute force. On that day, the lives of 40 million Ukrainians changed forever. The invasion has been a catastrophe for many thousands of Ukrainians. We've seen these scenes on our televisions every day for the last 3½ years. In fact, only this weekend and last week we saw the bombardment and missiles attacking Kyiv once again. The invasion has been absolute catastrophe the Ukrainian people. We see it on our televisions every day.

On 24 August I was proud to join the Ukrainian community in my electorate for an independence day event at the Ukraine community centre. I'd like to start by congratulating His Excellency Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ukraine's Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand. Ms Kateryna Argyrou, the Chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations, was there. I'd like to pay tribute to Mr Frank Fursenko, the President of the Association of Ukrainians in South Australia. His leadership and the leadership of the ambassador and Kateryna Argyrou in the local community during this terrifying time has been truly inspirational. The message I'd like to convey to my parliamentary colleagues here is that our support of Ukraine is truly appreciated. I heard that loud and clear.

Australia has provided more than $1.5 billion in support, including $1.3 billion in military assistance—making us the largest non-NATO contributor of military assistance to Ukraine—and more than $85 million in humanitarian assistance. In August Australia deployed Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail aircraft to Europe, with up to 150 ADF personnel under Operation Kudu, to help protect a vital international gateway for humanitarian and military assistance into Ukraine. We continue to work closely with Ukraine to provide them with the support they need.

Australia has imposed a comprehensive and strict suite of over 1,500 sanctions and trade measures against Russia. These measures ensure Russia pays a heavy price for its illegal invasion of Ukraine, including by denying it access to Australia's markets and ensuring Australia does not inadvertently fund Russia's war machine. Most recently, the government has imposed another two waves of targeted financial sanctions on 44 individuals and entities across several of Russia's critical industries, as well as targeted sanctions on 60 shadow fleet vessels to help starve the Russian war economy of oil revenue. This is in addition to other measures that restrict the import, purchase and transport of oil coming from or originating in Russia.

Mr Putin needs to show that he is serious about peace. The attacks over the weekend that we saw on our TVs show that he is not serious about peace. Recently I went to the Ukrainian community, and they were absolutely grateful for the support Australia is giving. We need this war to stop. We must not relent on this. Giving way to Putin and Russia is giving way to bullies in this world. It sends a strong message to the rest of the world—people and nations that perhaps do not abide by the international rule of law—that they too can get away with it if we back off. Ukraine needs our support. It needs the support of every free nation and democratically elected nation around the world to ensure that the Russians retreat and leave the Ukrainians their own sovereign nation to determine their future.

As I said, Australia will continue to support a just, lasting, comprehensive peace for Ukraine, and security and stability in Europe. Australia and Ukraine continue to stand shoulder to shoulder as we seek a world where, regardless of size or power, no country dominates and no country is dominated.

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