In a strongly worded statement in Parliament, the Leader of the Opposition Mr Anthony Albanese has confirmed the Australian Labor Party’s clear solidarity with the people of Ukraine and Ukrainian Australians, and any action that violates Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence.
Mr Albanese stated that ‘if Russia continues down the path of aggression, it will be attacking one of the core principles of the post WW2 order which is that UN members in their international relations shall refrain from the threat, or use of force, against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state’.
Mr Albanese added ‘the era of spheres of influence and other such pseudo imperial constructs has been consigned to the dust bin of history’.
Mr Albanese confirmed Australia should ‘unite with our allies and friends in sending the strongest of messages that Russia needs to back off – and it needs to back off right now’.