Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to potentially speak to Australian parliament
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is reportedly speaking with Prime Minister Scott Morrison on potentially addressing the Australian parliament as early as next week.
While speaking to Brisbane’s 4BC radio station, it was revealed the Prime Minister was in discussions with President Zelenskyy about a potential address to parliamentarians as early as the following week.
“We are in regular contact with the president and the prime minister,” he said.
“We would welcome any opportunity for him to speak to the Australian people.”
Liberal MP and former diplomat Dave Sharma is confident that every member of parliament would welcome hearing from President Zelenskyy directly on how Australia can support and assist efforts against Russia.
“If he thinks it could be helpful, we should welcome it with open arms,” he said.
Australia has issued 5000 three-year temporary visas for Ukrainians who are fleeing the conflict, with 750 of whom have since arrived in the country. These visas allow the holder to access Medicare, work and for children to go to school.
However, Mr Sharma stated that Australia needs to be conscious of Ukrainians wanting to return home after the conflict.
“Beyond that, it will depend very much on what Ukraine ends up looking like and whether there is a chance of them resettling or not and whether they would like to return to their homes or not,” he said.
“I think it is a little premature to be having those conversations right now but certainly down the track those are the things we will need to consider.”
Australia has donated an additional $21 million worth of Australian Defence Force stock and put aside 70,000 tonnes of thermal coal for Ukraine’s power stations in an effort to prop up its resistance against Russia.
An additional $30 million in humanitarian assistance will focus on protecting displaced women and children and addressing food shortages.
With AAP
Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.
