The AFUO thanks Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and government leaders who stood with Ukraine and our community on Independence Day
“Australia may be half a world away from Ukraine, but we continue to admire the courage of the Ukrainian people, and recognise that in defending their home, they are defending the principle of sovereignty,” reads Anthony Albanese’s address on 24 August 2025 to mark Ukraine’s 34th Independence Day.
Mr Albanese reiterated Australia’s collaborative role in multilateral efforts like the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ to help strengthen Ukraine to achieve a just peace decided on Ukraine’s terms.
“We also stand with all the people of Ukrainian heritage here in Australia, including those who have fled invasion. In marking this anniversary together, we honour Ukraine’s rich history and heritage, and the extraordinary courage of its people,” he said.
The AFUO sincerely thanks all the messages of support, including those received from Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, Australian Ambassador to Ukraine Paul Lehmann and Shadow Minister for Immigration Dan Tehan.
An enormous thank you to the work and efforts of Mark Buttigieg MLC, Michael Galea MP and Steve Georganas MP who moved motions in support of Ukraine to mark the 24th of August and reaffirm Australia’s commitment to Ukraine and to the Ukrainian diaspora in Australia.
NSW
The Hon Mark Buttigieg MLC in the NSW Legislative Council on 6 Aug honoured Ukraine’s Independence Day and acknowledged the work of the Ukrainian Council of NSW. Cross-party speeches from Jacqui Munro, Cate Faehrmann, Chris Rath, and Emily Suvaal showed strong bipartisan unity and support for Ukraine.
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.
SA
Steve Georganas MP moved a motion to mark three and a half years since russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the Federal Chamber, Parliament House.
Finally, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the Federal, State and local leadership who attended one of the many events that took place around the country:
QLD
- Renee Coffey MP, Federal Member for Griffith, representing the Australian Government
- Hon Fiona Simpson MP, QLD Minister for Women and Women’s Economic Security, QLD Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, QLD Minister for Multiculturalism, and Member for Maroochydore, representing the Premier of Queensland, the Hon David Crisafulli MP
- Councillor Krista Adams, Councillor for Holland Park Ward, representing the Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner
- Senator Paul Scarr, Senator for Queensland, Shadow Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs
- Senator Larissa Waters, Senator for Queensland, Leader of the Greens
- Julie-Anne Campbell MP, Federal Member for Moreton
- Charis Mullen MP, QLD Shadow Minister for Public Works and Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, representing the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon Steven Miles MP
- Joe Kelly MP, State Member for Greenslopes
- Mark Bailey MP, State Member for Miller
NSW
- The Hon Tony Burke MP, Minister for Home Affairs, the Arts, Cyber Security, Immigration and Citizenship
- The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Assistant Minister for Immigration, Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Ms Ash Ambihaipahar MP, Member for Barton
- The Hon Stephen Kamper, NSW Minister for Multiculturalism
- Alex Greenwich MP, Member for Sydney
- Kobi Shetty MP, Member for Balmain
SA
- Senator Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism
- Hon Steve Georganas MP, Federal Member for Adelaide
- Hon Michael Brown MP, Member for Florey
- Hon Josh Teague, SA Deputy Leader of the Opposition
- Hon Jing Lee MLC
VIC
- Lee Tarlamis MP, Parliamentary Friends of Ukraine
- Michael Galea MP, Parliamentary Friends of Ukraine
