Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship) Share this | Hansard source

I commend the member for Adelaide for his fine words. On this issue, all of us stand as one. What is happening in the Ukraine is beyond despicable. It's beyond deplorable. It is absolutely devastating, and all of us know and agree that Russia should immediately cease its hostilities and withdraw from all Ukrainian territory. That is the only way that this abhorrent war can be brought to an end. I'm sure all of us call on Russia and, in particular, President Putin, to cease, withdraw and take the responsible action that he needs to take at this time, because the suffering is too great. Not only are we seeing suffering in Ukraine; as a consequence, we're also seeing it in Russia as well, through the loss of life of Russian soldiers and the harm that it's doing to the Russian economy and to the very fabric of Russian society. So there is very good self-interest for Putin himself to act in the morally, ethically and responsible way.

To the people of Ukraine: our hearts and thoughts and prayers go out to you for what you are bearing at the moment. All of us in this parliament and right across our nation stand with you in the bravery and extraordinary courage that you have shown in tackling the current war that you are fighting. I think all of us have been absolutely taken to a place we never thought we could be taken to when it comes to such courage and when it comes to an extraordinary ability to defend one's sovereignty, to defend one's liberty, in a way we often wondered we all had in us. But the Ukrainians have shown that they have it in them, and the way they have fought has been nothing but inspirational.

Many of us were worried that the war could have been over in one week or two weeks, but the way the Ukrainians have fought has been quite remarkable. But it is not over. As we've read recently, just in the last couple of days Russian forces are continuing to advance in some territories in the Ukraine. That is why the rest of the world has to stand with Ukraine in its fight. We have to make sure that we continue to provide military aid. Australia has gone beyond what most countries have and I think it's time all countries stepped up and followed our lead, led by the immediate response by the Morrison government, followed by the response we've seen from the Albanese government. We have to ensure that the rest of the world continues to provide that military aid and, in particular, military hardware to enable the Ukrainians to respond, and respond in a way that will see the Russians defeated.

We've also got to make sure we continue to look after the Ukrainian people. We've done that here in Australia. We've taken thousands of Ukrainians and given them the option to spend some time here, to settle here, while the war continues. We've got to make sure we continue to provide that sanctuary for the Ukrainian people while they deal with this abhorrent war with Russia.

Can I end by acknowledging the contribution that has been made by the Ukrainian ambassador here in Australia and also by the leaders of the Ukrainian community here in Australia. Vasyl and Stefan have done an extraordinary job in rallying the Ukrainian people here in Australia and making sure their interests are incredibly well represented. I had the great honour of going to the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Melbourne to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the war starting, and to see the Ukrainian community still with that strong spirit, of the need to make sure they defeat this adversary and protect their sovereignty, was extraordinarily special.

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