Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Bilyk for her question and her very deep interest in the fate of the brave people of Ukraine. For more than two years, since Russia's illegal and immoral invasion, Australia has continued to strongly support Ukraine's sovereignty and integrity. We stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian community. Recently, along with Senator Birmingham, I was proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with members of the South Australian Ukraine community on the steps of the state parliament.

The reality for Ukrainians is that their country is under attack and elections have had to be deferred. But the Central Election Commission is preparing for the delivery of the first elections after this conflict has ended. Yesterday I was privileged to meet with the chairman of the Central Election Commission, Mr Oleh Didenko, and a member of the Central Election Commission, Mr Sergii Postivyi. The commission has a complex and challenging job in delivering the first election after the war with Russia has ended. The Albanese Labor government is committed to supporting Ukraine in this, a goal that I am confident all members of the Albanese Labor government are completely behind.

Sadly, given the comments of some Liberal senators in this place about Ukraine's fight against Russia, it is clear the same unanimous support does not exist in other parties. However, I am proud to have pledged my support for Ukraine in ensuring that they can again hold fair and safe elections in an effort to restore effective democracy to Ukraine and its people.