In a heartfelt message to the Australian-Ukrainian community on the occasion of Ukrainian Independence Day, the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, renewed Australia’s “respect for the strength and determination of Ukraine, and again recognise[d] the urgency of its quest for freedom.
“We also embrace those of Ukrainian heritage who have made their home here in Australia, and join them as they honour Ukrainian culture, identity and statehood.
“While Australia may be half a world away, we are proud to continue to empower Ukraine to end the war on its own terms. Now, and for however long it takes, we will stand with Ukraine in support of its courageous people and in defence of a fundamental principle: the right of every sovereign nation to be secure and to determine its own future.”
The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations sincerely thanks every single one of our Federal, State, and local leadership who attended one of the many events around the country to support Ukraine and their local Ukrainian community.
The AFUO also appreciates the speech of Senator Catryna Bilyk, Chair of the Australia-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group, in the Australian Senate on 20 August 2024 acknowledging Ukraine’s Independence Day.
It truly means an enormous amount to us as a national diaspora community to know that our political representatives are invested in, and acknowledge, Australia’s role in Ukraine’s victory and peace.
And in a super exciting initiative spearheaded by the Embassy of Ukraine, Australia Post has issued a stamp in support of Ukraine on the occasion of Ukraine’s Independence Day! Thank you Australia Post!
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Thank you for attending Ukrainian Independence Day community celebrations: Defence Minister Hon Richards Marles (VIC), Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister Hon Patrick Gorman MP (WA), Assistant Minister for Citizenship & Multicultural Affairs Hon Julian Hill (VIC), NSW Minister for Small Business, Lands and Property, Multiculturalism, and Sport, Hon Stephen Kamper State MP (NSW), SA Minister for Trade and Investment, Local Government & Veterans Affairs Joe Szakacs MP (SA), Mark Bailey State MP (QLD) who represented both Premier of QLD Steven Miles MP and also Minister for Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services & Multicultural Affairs Hon Charis Mullen MP, Leader of the Opposition (SA) Hon Vincent Tarzia MP, SA Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs & Tourism Hon Jing Lee MP (SA), Rebecca White Greens candidate (QLD) who represented Max Chandler-Mather Federal MP (QLD), Senator Paul Scarr (QLD), Leader of the Opposition (QLD) David Crisafulli MP, Pinky Singh OAM LNP candidate (QLD) who represented Ross Vasta Federal MP (QLD), Secretary to the VIC Premier & for Multicultural Affairs Nick Staikos MP (VIC), Whip Upper House (VIC) & Co-Chair VIC Ukrainian Parliamentary Friendship Group (UPFG) Hon Lee Tarlamis, VIC Shadow Minister for Transport, Co-Chair UPFG Hon Matthew Guy, Senator David Fawcett (SA), Julian Leeser Federal MP (NSW), Graham Perrett Federal MP (QLD),Kobi Shetty State MP (NSW), John Gardner State MP (SA), Michael Galea State MP (VIC), Matt Cross State MP (NSW), Paul Lilburne MLA (WA), Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner (Brisbane), Deputy Mayor Sarah Swan (NSW Woollahra Council), Deputy Mayor Krista Adams (Brisbane), Cr William Chan (City of Sydney) and Cr David Gonsalves (City of Perth).
Messages of support were also sent by: Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Government Services & National Disability Insurance Scheme Hon Bill Shorten, Minister for Regional Development Hon Kristy McBain, Queensland Premier Hon Steven Miles, South Australian Premier Hon Peter Malinauskas, Minister for Mental Health, Ageing & Multicultural Affairs (VIC) Ingrid Stitt MP, Minister for Multicultural Affairs (SA) Zoe Bettison MP, Leader of the Opposition Hon Peter Dutton (NSW), Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon Simon Birmingham (SA), Shadow Minister for Defence Personnel Hon Andrew Hastie (WA), Shadow Minister Immigration and Citizenship Hon Dan Tehan MP (VIC), NSW Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, Jobs, Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology, Mark Coure MP, Joe Kelly State MP (QLD), and Mayor Darcy Byrne (NSW Inner West Local Council).
