Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is for the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Minister, you and I both know that Russia is going after civilians and children in Ukraine. Three hundred people died in Mariupol when a Russian plane bombed the drama theatre where they were taking shelter. Russia is attacking schools, hospitals and evacuation routes, and little kids are dying at a phenomenal rate. It is brutal and it is shocking. You've previously said that the intentional targeting of civilians is a war crime. Is Vladimir Putin a war criminal?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Lambie for her question. The issues that she raises are deeply serious in terms of the actions that are being taken by Russia in Ukraine. A number of acts have been identified, and Senator Lambie has referred to those. The catastrophic humanitarian toll is growing, as we know. There has been a reference to the International Criminal Court, which Australia supported, and that international court will make its assessment. There has also been a decision by the International Court of Justice which enables investigations of these matters to begin now, and my understanding is that work will be underway as a result of that International Court of Justice question.

But, to be clear—as Senator Lambie, indeed, has been—the bombing of a school where it is known that hundreds of civilians are sheltering; the forced deportation of Ukraine residents, particularly from Mariupol to Russia; an air strike on a theatre where it is known that civilians are sheltering; the bombing of a maternity hospital in Mariupol; and the damaging of over 460 schools and over 40 health facilities in Ukraine indicate that these are matters of criminal behaviour in wartime. That is the reference which will be considered. That is the reference that Australia supported and supports, and I will continue to do that on behalf of all members of this Senate.

Slade Brockman (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Lambie, a supplementary question?

Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, article 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court states that it is a war crime to intentionally direct:

… attacks against the civilian population as such or against individual civilians not taking direct part in hostilities; …

Putin's men are killing kids. I don't doubt they're doing it on his orders and I don't doubt you do either, so I'm asking you: are you going to have the courage to come out and call him what he is? Putin is a war criminal. When is Australia's foreign minister going to call him what he is? He is a war criminal. Call it!

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Lambie, with the greatest of respect, I believe I responded to the questions that you raised in my first answer.

Slade Brockman (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Lambie, a second supplementary question?

Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) | Link to this | Hansard source

President Biden says that Putin is a butcher who is bent on violence. He can't see how Putin can possibly remain in power after everything he's done. Do you at least back President Biden's statements?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

The Australian government is working as closely as possible with a range of international partners, and that most certainly includes the United States, the United Kingdom, members of the European Union and non-EU countries in Europe, as well as our counterparts in Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore and others in the region. The Australian government has taken the strongest possible approach to our sanctions listings, including listing over 500 individuals and entities. That list of course includes President Putin himself and President Putin's most senior advisers; the members of the Duma, who I and Australia regard as the political facilitators of this egregious invasion; senior members of the Belarussian system as well, including President Lukashenko and his immediate family—

Slade Brockman (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Lambie, on a point of order?

Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) | Link to this | Hansard source

I simply want to know if, when President Biden says that Putin is a butcher, she agrees?

Slade Brockman (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Lambie, you have reminded the minister of your question. However, the minister was being directly relevant. Minister, you have the call for 11 seconds.

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

Let me conclude by saying that the strongest possible costs need to be imposed upon Russia. Australia is a very strong participant in the sanctions process, having imposed the sanctions I outlined earlier and others.