Australian Ukrainians will cast their votes in the upcoming Federal Election as the Ukraine-Russia war is sidelined in favour of domestic issues.
For Isabelle Liddy, media coordinator for the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations and the Defend Ukraine Appeal, raising awareness about the importance of Australian foreign policy in Ukraine is a top election priority.
“I think for me and for a lot of people, a growing concern is Australia’s independent foreign policy. Now more than ever, I think we can see with conflicts around the world that not only does Australia have a role to play in peacekeeping, but also that these issues directly affect us and our way of life,” she said.
Russia’s full-scale military invasion of Ukraine began on the 24th of February 2022, with over 5,000 refugees in Australia since the outbreak, of whom 70 per cent were women and children, according to AFUO Chair Kateryna Argyrou. The refugees join a network of over 53,000 Ukrainians across Australia, many of whom will take to the polls on May 3rd.
The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations is conducting a survey of politicians and political parties views on Ukraine, with results set to be published before the election.
“I think it’s really important that people understand the seriousness for Ukraine and how the result of this war will impact Australia. We are a global citizen, and the way that our world works only works when policy and international law are held to account,” Liddy said.
Current Policy Under Labor
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stressed the Australian Labor Party’s ongoing support for Ukraine. In a recent virtual summit reported by the ABC, the PM said it is in “Australia’s national interest” to stand with Ukraine. Labor’s federal budgets have consistently shown support for Ukraine, with $1.3 billion in military aid, including the largest single military package of $250 million delivered in July last year.
This year’s budget pledged an additional $17 million over two years in defence equipment and components, along with a $36 million expansion over five years for the Australian Embassy in Kyiv, returning diplomatic services to the country.
“The vehement support for Ukraine has been amazing, but we need to put our money where our mouth is,” Liddy said, referencing conversations of providing Ukraine with decommissioned ADF equipment.
In recent discussions, the Prime Minister has also supported suggestions of sending Australian peacekeeping troops to Ukraine, in a proposed ‘coalition of the willing’ between Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and New Zealand.
“In order to have a peacekeeping mission you need to have a peace, so we look forward to there being peace in Ukraine,” Albanese said. The Prime Minister vowed Australia will “stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes”.
Coalition’s Response to Ukraine
In a statement released on the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion, the Opposition Leader, Peter Dutton, wrote, “The Coalition stands with Ukraine and for a resolution of this war that fully respects its sovereignty.”
Peter Dutton served as Minister of Defence under the Morrison government at the time of the war’s outbreak. He oversaw the provision of $116m in military assistance, and $65m in humanitarian aid during the first two months of the invasion.
More recently, Dutton said, “Australia should not just applaud Ukrainians, but continue to support Ukraine through the provision of military equipment, supplies and aid”. He criticised the incumbent Labor government for its refusal to provide MRH-90 Taipan helicopters, and abandonment of the Australian embassy in Ukraine.
However, in discussions surrounding a potential peacekeeping mission, Dutton has criticised Albanese’s consideration of sending Australian troops to Ukraine.
“My judgment is that to base troops in Europe at the moment is the wrong decision for our country,” he said. Instead, the Opposition Leader has emphasised the need to protect Australia’s own national security interests, following sightings of Chinese warships in Australian waters.
“The Liberals have seemed in support of Ukraine, and then they have come out and said this. I think it’s the wrong position for them to take in terms of wanting to show their support to Ukraine and the Ukrainian community in Australia,” said Liddy.
Albanese has criticised Dutton’s view.
“Australia has of course stood with Ukraine since the beginning of this process. It did have a bipartisan position. It appears that Mr Dutton has walked away from that,” he said.
A Path Forward for Australian Ukrainians?
In October of 2024, the Government announced Resolution of Status visas for Ukrainian refugees, creating a pathway towards Permanent Residency, and eventually citizenship. Student Nika Kovalenko, 17, arrived in Australia in April of 2022, and was one of the first to receive the news.
“It gave me a sense of hope for a defined, peaceful and bright future in a country that has become my second home,” she said.
The new residency status has given many a renewed hope, strengthening community and political ties between Australia and the Ukrainian diaspora. While those on humanitarian and PR (Permanent Residency) visas won’t be able to vote in the upcoming election, the change is a big step toward civic engagement in Australia.
The Federal Election will take place on May 3.
