The Sydney Morning Herald / The Age – the most read newspaper mastheads in the country – have launched the “Blood Oil” series, shining a national spotlight on the oil sanctions loophole that has made Australia the largest importer of refined russian crude in the world.
The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) is proud to have worked with the SMH to get to this point in our #StopFuellingrussiasWar campaign.
Today’s launch includes front-page coverage, two in-depth stories, and an editorial. More stories and podcasts are in the pipeline. We extend our deepest thanks to SMH editor Bevan Shields and senior journalists David Crowe and Matthew Knott for making this happen.
We also want to acknowledge our colleagues at CREA, and our friend and supporter Mark Corrigan, an anti-russian oil campaigner and chemical engineer. Their invaluable data, analysis, and story ideas have been essential in driving this story forward.
We’re grateful to all who have supported our community advocacy along the way, including Ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko, David Lang at Brockwell Strategy, Pete Shmigel, Grim Ace, the Rudewych Family, Sania & Dan Wolody and others.
Finally, a huge thank you to the Australia-wide Ukrainian community for your tireless efforts – writing letters to MPs, holding protests in Sydney, Perth, Canberra and Geelong, and spreading this vital message far and wide.
But our work is not over. Until this sanctions loophole is closed, we must continue to work together to stop the importation of refined russian oil and expose the ways this evil trade is being enabled.
Ukrainian Council of NSW – ОУГ НПВ, Ukrainian Association Western Australia, Association of Ukrainians in Victoria, Ukrainians in Geelong – Українці в Джілонґу, Association of Ukrainians in SA, Ukrainian Community of Queensland Inc., Association of Ukrainians in Tasmania, UAANT : Ukrainian-Australian Association of Northern Territory Incorporated, Friends of Ukraine Canberra-Queanbeyan
#AFUO #StopFuellingrussiasWar #CloseTheLoophole #SupportUkraine #AFUO_In_Action
