The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) commends the private Members’ motion which was moved today by Labor’s Mr Steve Georganas MP, and seconded by the Nationals’ Hon Dr David Gillespie MP, deploring the Russian invasion of Ukraine and pledging continued Australian military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine and its people.
Mr Georganas introduced the motion by explaining the illegal and immoral Russian invasion of Ukraine made ‘the world a more dangerous and precarious place for everyone’.
He noted the ‘whole Parliament of Australia stands in unity’ with the Ukrainian people, and reminded the chamber that Ukrainians were fighting ‘not just for themselves but for every person who cares about democratic values and the rule of international law.”
In a bipartisan show of support, MP’s from all political parties spoke movingly about their sympathy and solidarity with Ukraine, and their determination that Australia should continue to provide assistance.
Members of Parliament who spoke today included ALP members Mr Luke Gosling OAM MP, the Hon Shayne Neumann MP and Mr Matt Burnell MP, Liberal Party members the Hon Dan Tehan MP and the Hon Alex Hawke MP, the Nationals’ the Hon Michael McCormack, MP, and Liberal National Party of Queensland member Mr Andrew Wallace MP.
The motion will continue to be discussed the Monday of the following sitting week, and will be moved in the Senate tomorrow by Senator Cateryna Bilyk, Chair of the Australia Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group (AUPFG).
Ms Chrestyna Kmetj, AFUO Liaison for the AUPFG, said today “We have worked closely with the AUPFG Chair, Senator Bilyk, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Senator Penny Wong’s office for this motion to be moved by both Houses of Parliament.”
“We’re very proud there is such strong, bipartisan support for the motion. We look forward to seeing this through and continuing to advocate for Ukraine and Ukrainians,” she added.
The full text of the Motion being moved can be found below:
That the House of Representatives/Senate, observing one year since Russia’s 24 February 2022 invasion of Ukraine:
(1) Deplores the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which continues a pattern of illegal and immoral aggression against Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, which has resulted in a toll of destruction, many thousands of human casualties, and the displacement of over 14 million Ukrainians;
(2) Condemns:
(a) acts by Russia aimed at destroying the national, cultural, religious, and democratic institutions of the Ukrainian people and Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity;
(b) Russia for violating international law noting the clear evidence of war crimes being committed against the Ukrainian people;
(3) Notes Australia continues to stand with Ukraine against Russian aggression and has provided Ukraine with military and humanitarian support, as well as refuge for displaced people, and will continue to do so;
(4) Reaffirms the 11th Emergency Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, which also condemned, deplored and expressed grave concern over attacks on civilian populations and infrastructure, and reiterates its demand that Russia withdraw from Ukraine’s recognised sovereign territory.
#AFUO_In_Action
#StandWithUkraine
#UniteWithUkraine
