Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) | Link to this | Hansard source

As the world grapples with the horrific events in Ukraine, we are reminded that not so long ago we were dealing with another crisis, the return of the Taliban—the return of the Taliban in control of Afghanistan. Thousands—men, women, children—fled for their lives, fearing the return of a regime with a history of violent oppression of women in all walks of life.

This week some of those fears have been realised, with the Taliban reversing its promise to allow girls to remain in secondary schools in Afghanistan. This decision represents an ugly decline into the darkest days of Taliban control, and it is precisely what so many have feared since the fall of Kabul last year. The women of Afghanistan warned the Taliban's word could not be trusted, and, sadly, they were right. The denial of this fundamental right based on gender is unacceptable, and we join the calls of the international community for the Taliban to reverse this decision. Yet again, we urge the Australian government to fulfil its promises to the people of Afghanistan who are desperately waiting for visas for loved ones. (Time expired)