I acknowledge and thank Ukrainian Council of NSW President Andrew Mencinsky, and all others who made today’s event possible, including AFUO Chair Kateryna Argyrou.
As Ukraine marks its 34th Independence Day, we are reminded of the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people.
More than three years ago, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in violation of international law and the UN Charter. In doing so, Russia underestimated the bravery and determination of the Ukrainian people, its soldiers, and its leaders.
We recognise the immense hardships the Ukrainian people have endured, and we acknowledge the anguish the Ukrainian diaspora experience here in Australia, thousands of kilometres away.
Australia steadfastly supports Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
We are proud to be the largest non-NATO contributor of military assistance to help Ukraine defend itself.
This has included M1A1 Abrams tanks, Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles, anti-tank weapons, air defence missiles, artillery, and deployments of the Wedgetail aircraft as part of Operation Kudu.
Our support under Operation Kudu also extends to training the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the United Kingdom.
Just last year, as part of my previous role as Assistant Minister for Defence, I had the honour of farewelling 90 ADF personnel from the Defence Base in Adelaide as they departed for the UK.
To date, the ADF has trained over 2,900 members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces under Operation Kudu.
Including training the next generation of young leaders in the Ukrainian military.
As part of our $1.5 billion in assistance to Ukraine, we have also provided important humanitarian, energy and economic support.
And we are continuing work to hold Russia to account for its invasion.
We have now imposed more than 1,500 targeted sanctions on Russia and its supporters.
Australia continues to support all meaningful efforts towards a just and lasting peace in the region.
Our Prime Minister is actively working alongside our partners, as part of the ‘Coalition of the Willing’, to advance efforts towards a peace decided on Ukraine’s terms.
Australia and Ukraine may be on opposite sides of the globe, but we stand united. We stand united in upholding democratic values, the rule of law, and respect for sovereignty.
Australia stands with you as you defend your freedoms. Your democracy. Your independence.
The ties between Australia and Ukraine have only grown stronger since Russia’s full-scale invasion.
And, today as every day, we stand with Ukraine and renew our call for Russia to end its illegal invasion.
To all Ukrainians, to those in Ukraine, to those here in Australia, and to those across the world, we stand with you.
Happy Independence Day, Ukraine.
Slava Ukraini.