Luke Gosling (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Our government is unwavering in its support of the people of Ukraine in the face of Russia's unprovoked and unjustifiable war. Australia continues to stand with Ukraine as we work with our partners to support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. I was glad to be able to pass that message on directly to members of Ukraine's government and armed forces when Senator Fawcett and I represented the Australian parliament in Copenhagen at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

Last year, I also had the honour of visiting the 5th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment from my electorate in Darwin. I visited them in the United Kingdom and spent time with them. As part of Operation Kudu, they were training members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Operation Kudu is the Australian Defence Force's commitment to the training of those Ukraine recruits, working alongside partner nations as part of the UK-led training program to build additional capacity for Ukraine to defend their homeland. It focuses on basic infantry tactics, which we observed, in urban and wooded environments, such as those in which they find themselves facing the invading Russians. Building on our reputation as a highly regarded partner, Australia will now also build on Operation Kudu by joining NATO's new security and training initiative for Ukraine as an operational partner.

In addition, under Operation Kudu, a Royal Australian Air Force Wedgetail aircraft was deployed to Germany in support of multinational efforts to protect the vital gateway of international humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine. Up to 180 air personnel deployed with the Wedgetail. Australia was honoured to provide this aircraft to help protect the vital lifeline of humanitarian aid and military assistance entering Ukraine. These are just some of examples of our government's approach to the crisis in Ukraine.

The approach has been substantial, ongoing and bipartisan, largely. The government's meaningful support totals over $1.3 billion to date, and $1.1 billion of that has been in military assistance. Australia continues to be the largest non-NATO military contributor to Ukraine. Since we came to office two years ago, we have more than doubled the military contributions to Ukraine, making us that largest non-NATO contributor of military assistance. Last month, we announced Australia's single largest military assistance package, worth around a quarter of a billion dollars. The package includes air defence missiles, air-to-ground weapons including guided weapons, antitank weapons, artillery, mortar, cannon and small-arms ammunition, and a shipment of boots. These contributions ensure the men and women of the Armed Forces of Ukraine can continue their vital efforts on the frontline.

During his visit to Washington last week, the DPM also joined other partners in signing a memorandum of understanding on the Drone Coalition. This follows our government's $30 million commitment to provide drones to Ukraine as part of this important coalition. We have also provided demining equipment, portable X-ray machines, a 3D metal printer and counterdrone systems, which is some of the Australian-developed equipment that will contribute to the defence of Ukraine. I'm very proud that this assistance from Australia included 3D metal printers made by a local Darwin company based at Charles Darwin University, SPEE3D.

These contributions provide Ukraine with some of the best capabilities in the world while investing in Australia's sovereign defence industry and tech sector. This latest support takes Australia's overall assistance to Ukraine to approximately $910 million, including the provision of Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles, heavy artillery, critical ammunition and contributions to the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund. A few months ago, in June, we announced $31 million in energy and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Overall, our government remains committed and will do more.

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