In the lead-up to Ukraine’s 34th Independence Day, both NSW and VIC’s Legislative Council moved motions to acknowledge Independence Day & Ukraine’s ongoing fight for freedom – reaffirming Australia’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and its people.
NSW: The Hon Mark Buttigieg MLC successfully moved a motion in the NSW Legislative Council on 6 Aug honouring Ukraine’s Independence Day and acknowledging the work of the Ukrainian Council of NSW – ОУГ НПВ. Speeches from members across parties – including Jacqui Munro, Cate Faehrmann, Chris Rath, and Emily Suvaal – showed strong bipartisan unity and support for Ukraine.
Buttigieg acknowledged Ukraine’s long history of russian repression and resistance – from the Holodomor, through WWII, to the hard-won independence of 1991.
“A stark reminder of the immense price Ukraine has paid for its sovereignty… defending not only its borders but democratic values we all hold dear,” Buttigieg said.
The NSW Government has also delivered: humanitarian aid, $500k for displaced Ukrainians, community event funding, free venue hire and visa advocacy. You can watch the motion here:
VIC: Michael Galea MP raised a motion recognising Ukraine’s Independence Day in the Victorian Legislative Council on 12 Aug, supported by the AFUO & the Victorian Parliament’s Friends of Ukraine group, led by Lee Tarlamis MP and Matthew Guy MP. The motion underscored Victoria’s support and alliance with Ukraine in the face of ongoing aggression.
“Ukraine’s independence matters not just to that country but to the entire international rules-based order,” Galea said. You can watch the motion here:
Both expressed unwavering solidarity with Ukraine and their respective Ukrainian state diaspora communities, wishing Ukraine longevity, sovereignty, prosperity and independence for many more years to come.
Two states. One message: Australia stands with Ukraine
