Over 3,500 supporters of Ukraine gathered around Australia to mark the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2024 and call for more military aid to help the country defend democracy, independence and the rules-based order.
Events were held in over 1,000 cities around the world and in all Australian capital cities, including Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth, Hobart and Darwin. Rally goers held blue and yellow flags and banners, wore Ukrainian embroidered shirts and clothing, and stood united in honouring the victims of Russia’s brutal war and saluting the heroic courage and resistance of the Ukrainian people.
Supporters were addressed by a range of speakers from across the political spectrum including the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (via video), Peter Dutton (Leader of the Opposition) (via video), Senator Don Farrell (Minister for Trade), Senator Simon Birmingham (Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister), Julian Hill MP (representing the Government), Dan Tehan (Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship), Senator David Van (Independent) and Senator David Pocock (Independent).
In South Australia, Senator Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs, sent a special message to rally goers, and in Victoria, messages were passed on from Andrew Giles MP (Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs) and Bill Shorten (Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme).
State MPs who addressed rallies in their local cities included the South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas and Leader of the Opposition, David Speirs; NSW Premier Chris Minns (video message), Lynda Voltz NSW MP; Nick Staikos (Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier of Victoria), Lee Tarlamis (Chair of Victoria Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group), Matthew Guy (representing the Leader of the Victorian Opposition, John Pesutto); and ACT Attorney General Shane Rattenbury (speech).
Video messages were also received from former Prime Ministers Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull, and the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (and great friend of Ukraine), Boris Johnson.
The AFUO congratulates our member hromada organisations for organising so many moving and powerful commemoration events.
Let us continue to stand strong and united knowing that Ukraine remains undefeated.
Slava Ukraini!
- Check out our AFUO Newsroom for media coverage around 24.02
- Click here to watch the video messages from the Prime Minister and other political leaders
- Click on the links for more information about the rallies in Sydney, Adelaide and Canberra
