Andrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal National Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Hansard source

I want to thank the member for Adelaide for bringing on this important motion because it is critical, in times like this, that Australia stands with like-minded countries like Ukraine. Like-minded democracies must stand together against oppression and military attacks such as we've seen in Ukraine since Russia's illegal and immoral invasion 3½ years ago.

The efforts of President Zelenskyy must be highlighted. When Ukraine was first invaded, in February 2022, the story has it that President Zelenskyy was encouraged to flee ' Ukraine to save himself and his family because Russia was expected to take Kyiv in a matter of days. And you know what his response was? His response was, 'I don't want a lift; what I need is ammunition.' That one line garnered the support of the Ukrainian people, who saw their president stand up against the totalitarian oppression of President Putin, who is trying to take part, if not all, of Ukraine by force. That one sentence has galvanised the Ukrainian people to now, three and a half years later, still maintain control over most of Ukraine. It's an absolute travesty—a tragedy, a human tragedy—to see the number of lives that are being lost in Ukraine during this fight.

I also want to send a shout-out to the Ukrainian ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko. When I was Speaker of the House of Representatives, I was fortunate enough to secure an address ' President Zelenskyy, and Vasyl was instrumental in facilitating that address. But Vasyl, as Ukrainian ambassador, has been a model diplomat for Australia and our foreign dealings with Ukraine. Vasyl, I know you'll be reading this, or you may even be watching it, now. I am, personally, incredibly proud of the way that you have represented your country. I think you said the other night, at your celebration, that you've been back to Ukraine eight or nine times. No country could expect more ' their diplomatic corps than the way you have so incredibly, proudly represented your people and your country here in Australia—or anywhere else in the world, for that matter. Hats off to you, Vasyl.

I want you to know that the coalition—and this is a bipartisan perspective shared by both the coalition and, I think, most people in this chamber—absolutely support and applaud you and the people of Ukraine for standing up against aggression. We face a lot of challenges in this world right now, in so many respects. We have conflict in the Middle East, conflict in the subcontinent, conflict in Europe and threatened conflict in Asia. The world is so unstable right now, but this is where countries like Australia must stand resolutely with our friends and allies—in the Pacific and in Europe.

Thank you, Vasyl, for the work you have done in representing your people. There is much work to be done in securing this country ' the perils that lie ahead, but we must work together to do it.

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