Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I've spoken many times in this chamber and I'm privileged to be the Chair of the Parliamentary Friendship Group of Lithuania. In that capacity I've engaged with Lithuania's ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Darius Degutis, and members of the Lithuanian diaspora here in Australia. Stability within Eastern Europe, particularly in the context of Russia's illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine, is of paramount importance. It's crucial that Australia remains a close friend of strong democratic nations such as Lithuania and that we engage meaningfully in ongoing dialogue on matters of security and economic stability.

This past fortnight I undertook, at personal expense, travel overseas for the purpose of expanding my engagement with and understanding of the many issues on which I seek to advocate in this parliament. Assisted by Ambassador Degutis, I was able to spend time in Lithuania's capital city, Vilnius, and met with Lithuania's Speaker, First Deputy Speaker and Minister of Foreign Affairs, in addition to members of the Lithuanian interparliamentary relations group. These parliamentarians generously donated their time to meet with me and their insights were deeply enriching. I was also grateful to meet with Ambassador Lloyd Brodrick, who is Australia's ambassador to Poland, the Czech Republic and Lithuania. His engagement and insights greatly enhanced my understanding of current circumstances and challenges within the region, and I'd like to thank him for his time.

Australia must remain steadfast in our support of Ukraine in the wake of Russia's reprehensible and illegal contact within the region. That includes ensuring that our relationship with those nations most closely impacted remains strong and that Australia can be considered a trusted friend and supporter of democracy on the international stage. My engagements throughout the course of my time in Lithuania have reinforced the crucial work that we do in this parliament and the immense value of the genuine engagement with other nations that occurs through forums such as parliamentary friendship groups. In that spirit, I personally thank the ambassador to Lithuania for his assistance in organising my engagements and for his ongoing engagement with the Lithuanian Parliamentary Friendship Group.