Graham Perrett (Moreton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Slava Ukraini. Australians have followed news reports from Ukraine with horror and sadness since the brutal Russian invasion. According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, at the two-year mark this senseless war had claimed the lives of over 10,000 civilians and injured nearly 20,000. The same reports also indicate that the actual numbers are most likely significantly higher. Of course, these figures do not illustrate the effect of the mass displacement of civilians, the loss of livelihoods and the collective trauma suffered by the Ukrainian nation. It's even more difficult to gauge the loss of life and casualties among military personnel, as Ukraine does not release these figures. Estimates range from 30,000 to 70,000 deaths. Russian deaths and casualties, both civilian and military, are similarly challenging to estimate, let alone verify, but are undoubtedly higher because of Russian military tactics.

These tragic figures are the backdrop to the daily news reports we see, featuring terms like 'counter-offensive', 'blockade', 'occupied territory', 'bombardment', 'incursion', 'civilian exodus' and 'missile strike'. Even when we don't know the specifics, these words paint a picture of horror, destruction, death and emergency humanitarian need, which is why the Albanese Labor government has been steadfast in its support of Ukraine since coming to office. Both the Prime Minister and the Minister for Defence have made visits there, confirming that our support remains resolute. A despot's military takeover should never be tolerated. It only emboldens and begets more brutality and horror.

Australian support is more than symbolic under both Labor and the LNP; it's bipartisan, concrete, effective and ongoing. This support has totalled over $1.3 billion to date. Of this, $1.1 billion has been in military assistance. Since coming to office Labor has more than doubled our military contribution. Most recently, in July the Minister for Defence announced a military package worth around $250 million. The package includes air defence missiles and air-to-ground weapons including guided weapons, anti-tank weapons and ammunition. This announcement also included Australia's decision to join NATO's new security and training initiative as an operational partner. This measure indicates our commitment to supporting Ukraine.

ADF personnel have trained over 1,450 Ukrainian armed forces personnel in the UK on infantry tactics for urban and wooded environments. I recently met the crew of the RAAF E-71 Wedgetail, deployed to the region for six months to secure a crucial gateway for international humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine; I met them out at Canberra Airport. Over the course of the war Australia has provided 120 Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles, 56 armoured vehicles, six howitzers, trailers and special operations vehicles, ammunition and anti-armour weapons, body armour, personal combat equipment and clothing, and counter-drone systems. We've also supplied humanitarian assistance, with a $31 million energy and humanitarian aid package, and $20 million is being directed to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, which provides electricity and heat for civilians and enables repairs to the energy grid. This amount may be directed towards buying coal, with the added benefit of no shipping and insurance costs.

The government maintains close contact with the Ukrainian embassy to ensure that our contributions are effective. We're confident in this approach, with Ukraine stating:

Australia's aid for Ukraine has a multiplier effect. It not only directly meets needs in Ukraine but also affirms and strengthens Ukrainians in their pursuit of our common values and withstanding Russia's illegal invasion.

Australia has provided $10 million to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. This will be directed towards improving access to clean water and food and shelter for the thousands of displaced people. And we've committed $1 million to the United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which includes people needing assistance after sustaining war injuries.

Another important measure is the imposition of sanctions. Over 1,200 targeted financial sanctions and trade measures have been imposed by the Albanese government against Russia since February 2022. Most recently we targeted six entities involved with North Korea's supply of arms to Russia. Cumulatively these sanctions are working to decrease Russia's ability to both fund and conduct its unjustifiable and immoral war.

Australia proudly stands as the largest non-NATO contributor of military assistance to Ukraine. We'll continue to stand by the Ukrainian government and its people in their fight for their sovereignty in the face of Russia's ongoing barbaric and unjustifiable war for as long as it takes. Slava Ukraini.

Debate adjourned.

Sitting suspended from 13:25 to 16:00

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