ANTHONY ALBANESE MP
LEADER OF THE AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY
MEMBER FOR GRAYNDLER
SENATOR PENNY WONG
LEADER OF THE AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY IN THE SENATE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
LABOR SENATOR FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA
SUBJECTS: Russia-Ukraine tensions; agricultural visas.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, LEADER OF THE AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY: Thank you very much for joining us. Labor’s members of our Shadow National Security Committee have just been briefed by intelligence agencies about the situation in the Ukraine. And earlier this afternoon, I spoke to the Prime Minister as well.
This is a shocking development whereby we have a situation, Russia has undertaken aggression against the people of Ukraine. And all Australians stand with the people of Ukraine against Russian aggression.
It is important in 2022, that Russia, alongside other states, recognise national sovereignty of their fellow states. What we see with the actions of Russia, in militarily intervening across the border into Ukraine, isn't the actions of peacekeepers, it is the actions of peace-breakers. What we see with ongoing intimidation against the people of Ukraine is aggressive Russian action which undermines security in the region and indeed the world.
That is why it is appropriate that Australia is supported sanctions, alongside the United states, United Kingdom and the European Union. It is absolutely vital that all nations which are democratic, and which value the importance of a national sovereignty being respected, take action in support of the people of Ukraine at this time.
Labor supports the announcement that has been announced by the Government. We believe it is important, when it comes to national security, that we express a common view on behalf of the Australian people, in support of democracy and in supported sovereignty of Ukraine and against Russian aggression. I have spoken as well to the leadership today of the Federation of Ukrainian Organisations here in Australia who I met with just 11 days ago. And I expressed our support for their family, their friends, back in Ukraine who are going through this difficult time.
PENNY WONG, SHADOW MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS: Thank you, Leader. What the world is seeing is a unilateral act of aggression by Russia against a sovereign state. A unilateral act of aggression which is contrary to international law, which is contrary to international agreements, and which is contrary to the principles which underpin peace and prosperity since the end of World War Two.
I would say this. It is so important that Australia continue to act in lockstep with our partners, our international partners, in condemnation of this action and in the knowledge of the risk of this situation further deteriorating. I echo the Leader’s point that we do offer a full bipartisanship support to the Government on the sanctions which have been announced and on Australian playing its full part as a member of the international community standing in solidarity with Ukraine and with the Ukrainian community.
I would also just make this point. We do know that there are Australians who remain in Ukraine. I would echo the Government’s and Marise Payne’s views. It is time to leave. And it is important that you follow the advice on the Smarttraveller and register with DFAT if you are in Ukraine.
ALBANESE: Happy to take questions.
JOURNALIST: Do you support the sanctions by the Government? Do you think they go far enough? And, realistically, do you think they will have any impact on Russia’s actions on Ukraine?
ALBANESE: What they do is they send a very strong message that the world is united. That is why it is important, and I believe appropriate, for Australia to act in concert with our allies and like-minded countries like the United States and the United Kingdom. I do think it is appropriate, the actions that have been determined. Of course, President Biden has said that whatever Russia does next, the whole world is watching. The whole world is ready to respond with unity, with clarity and conviction. And that is a very strong statement from the President of the United States. Australia needs to work with our allies on this issue, as well as, of course, make sure, as Penny has said, make sure that we look after Australian citizens. We have told clear advice through the Department of Foreign Affairs that people should leave, and they should leave as a matter of urgency.
JOURNALIST: The Prime Minister earlier labelled Russia as (inaudible). Do you agree with those sentiments or do you find them defamatory?
ALBANESE: I'm not looking for any disagreement on these issues. Australians stand as one. Australia stands against the aggression. And the aggressor here is Putin. It is not the people of Ukraine, it is not the Government of Ukraine, it is not NATO, it is not the United States. It is Vladimir Putin and Russia, someone who leads an authoritarian regime, someone who is engaged in aggressive action and threats against a sovereign state over recent months, and continues to escalate around the border of the Ukraine, and continues to escalate with military action and intervention. And calling it peacekeeping is, of course, quite farcical. It is anything but. This is a peace breaking intervention in violation of international law.
JOURNALIST: (Inaudible) fast-tracked visa applications. Do you think this is enough? Do you think that the Government should perhaps establish a special visa?
ALBANESE: They should be fast tracked. There are a range of visas and applications which are in train now. And when I spoke to the Prime Minister, I raised this issue with them. What he indicated was that they would go to the top of the pile, all of those applications, to come here. I also raised the issue of people who are here and whose visas might be time-limited. We should not be sending anyone back to Ukraine also. And the Prime Minister agreed with that. We should keep a close eye on this. And we should be prepared to assist in terms of humanitarian programs. Australia has a good record, going back, when that is conflict in the world, playing our part, and we should be prepared to do that again.
JOURNALIST: The New South Wales Ukrainian Council has now (inaudible). What do you make of that?
ALBANESE: I haven't seen those reports. And I think it is important at times like this that we act upon advice. Australia is providing assistance in terms of cyber defence. We have been providing that support for a period of time. These decisions should not be the subject of partisanship. What they should be is based upon considered advice by our agency, our defence, by our Department of Foreign Affairs. We will continue to work constructively with the Government to make sure that Australia plays our role, as we are today. One of the reasons why we are standing up today is once again to reaffirm our view that it is important to give Russia a clear message that all Australians stand united against Russian aggression and in support of the people and the country of Ukraine.
JOURNALIST: The Government has flagged concerns about the possible retaliation from Russia (inaudible). Should Australians be concerned about this?
ALBANESE: We don't talk about the detail of the security briefings, of course. That is the first point I want to make. Very clearly, that would not be in the interest of Russia. Russia is the aggressor here. And any action against Australia will be seen as an act of aggression against Australia.
JOURNALIST: (Inaudible). Are you concerned that Beijing could use the current situation to launch its own action?
WONG: I would make this point. I have been asked the question a couple of times in the media already. There is obviously a risk to global peace and security, to regional peace and security, from an international actor, in this case Russia, blatantly violating international law, not respecting sovereignty, engaging in an aggression that unilaterally alters the status quo. And that is why Australia, the United States, NATO nations and many more should continue to assert the principles we have in relation to Russian aggression in Ukraine.
JOURNALIST: Do you think the current sanctions are enough?
WONG: We take advice from Government about the scope of the sanctions that they are seeking to impose. We hope in doing that, the Government will, as Mr Albanese says, recognise the importance of Australia taking a very clear stance on this matter.
JOURNALIST: Does Federal Labor support the introduction of the agricultural visa? If you were to form Government, would you seek to scrap it?
ALBANESE: It is a mess. Scrap what? Nothing is happening. The Liberals and the Nationals are busy fighting each other. I got asked about this earlier today. What I know is that David Littleproud complaining about the Liberal Party of which he is a part. You have Cabinet Ministers openly brawling about these circumstances. And it is just another example of the gap that is there between Government announcements and Government delivery. Thanks.
Authorised by Paul Erickson, ALP, Canberra.
