Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

The date of 24 February is an anniversary we wish did not exist, but it is one that this chamber should recognise: 24 February 2022 was the date of Russia's illegal and immoral full-scale invasion of Ukraine. After 24 February, it's clear that this illegal war will enter its third year.

I do look forward to the day when this House can celebrate that Ukraine is at peace, the work of recovery and rebuilding is under way and the process of justice is running its course. Regrettably, today we instead acknowledge that Vladimir Putin's invasion is about to enter its third brutal year. Australia strongly supports Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity—a position which has been taken by every member of this House. Russia's invasion of Ukraine is of course a gross violation of international law.

I often think back to the great privilege I had of visiting Ukraine early on in this war, in 2022. I was awed by the immense courage of the Ukrainian people—courage embodied by my host, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. While I was there, I got some sense of what Ukraine is up against. There are things I saw in Ukraine that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Australia stands with Ukraine. It is an unwavering support that has so far included the provision of Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles, heavy artillery, critical ammunition and contributions to the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund. It has also included the deployment of a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail aircraft to Germany, helping to protect a vital gateway of international humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine. I believe all Australians are also proud of the fact that members of the Australian Defence Force continue to train recruits from the defence forces of Ukraine in the United Kingdom.

Today I'm pleased to announce the government will provide an additional $50 million grant to the International Fund for Ukraine. The IFU is a crucial funding mechanism that draws on contributions from international partners to procure military assistance for Ukrainians. This grant will bring Australia's total military assistance to Ukraine to approximately $780 million, and overall Australian government assistance to $960 million—support that's come from the former government as well as this government. We do this because Australia has always been willing to step up, we do it because we're steadfast in our commitment to global security and the international rule of law and we do it because the strategic reason is also so compelling. The outcome of this war matters for the people of Ukraine and for the international rules based order, and that matters to all of us, including to us here in Australia.

Working in coordination with partners, Australia will continue to support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We have introduced a range of trade sanctions and tariffs that impose further costs and limit Russia's ability to fund its immoral war. We have imposed targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on over 1,100 individuals and entities.

The Ukrainian people have known the cruelty of tyrants before. Those tyrants have gone, but Ukraine goes on. We will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. I know that this will be a bipartisan commitment, as it has been from the first day—tragically, almost two years ago. I thought it was important for us to make this statement here, given that parliament won't be sitting between now and the anniversary date. I acknowledge also the leadership of the member for Cook and the Morrison government for the support that occurred, including inviting President Zelenskyy to in a virtual sense to address this chamber.

I table the media release from me, the defence minister and the foreign minister that we released earlier today.

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