Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Australia is a strong supporter of Ukraine. Australia understands, as a member of the international community, that there should not be abrogation of the United Nations Charter and that the principle of the protection of territorial sovereignty is not only an important legal principle, as a matter of principle, but also fundamental to our security. When I speak to those in South-East Asia and in the Pacific, I explain and articulate our view as to why Ukraine, even though it's a long way from some of the nations I visit, matters. It matters because the principle of territorial sovereignty, the principle that the UN Charter should be adhered to, is a protection for countries small and large in the international system. So I disagree with the assertion that the senator is making. Australia stands against— (Time expired)