On the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) has called on the Australian Government to apply insights gained from its response to the crisis to future humanitarian emergencies. The war, which has resulted in more than 12,300 civilian deaths and over 27,800 injuries, has displaced nearly 7 million people, primarily seeking refuge across Europe. Among these, over 11,400 Ukrainians have fled to Australia since the onset of the conflict.
To address this situation, the Australian Government rolled out various visa options for Ukrainians fleeing the crisis, initially providing visitor visas, followed by temporary protection visas, and, more recently, pathways to permanent residency for eligible individuals. Between April and July 2022, upwards of 4,700 Ukrainians were granted temporary humanitarian stay visas, with another 1,000 applying for Bridging Visas to remain temporarily.
The importance of community engagement cannot be understated, as the Australian Ukrainian community has been instrumental in advocating for permanent residency pathways, access to work rights, and educational opportunities for new arrivals. The Australian Government has allocated up to $1 million to support various Ukrainian community organizations, including the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations, demonstrating its commitment to helping displaced individuals.
RCOA CEO Paul Power expressed appreciation for the swift response of the government, noting, "The Australian Government responded quickly to the crisis, allowing Ukrainians with close links to Australia to enter the country on temporary visas... This enabled people fleeing conflict to travel safely, knowing Australia would receive them at this time of great risk and uncertainty." Power emphasized the value of leveraging the knowledge and efforts of the Ukrainian diaspora for successful temporary settlement initiatives.
Beyond immediate relief, RCOA, alongside its partner organizations, is developing lessons learned from this experience with the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, aiming to establish predictable frameworks for future Australian responses to humanitarian emergencies.
"While the response was not perfect, the experience provides valuable lessons for how Australia can respond to people fleeing other crises," Power added. He stressed the need for enhanced processes to assist various communities during difficult times.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reaffirmed Australia's commitment to support Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia. During a special edition of ABC’s Q&A, he addressed questions about Australia's sovereignty, military alliances, and foreign policy choices, particularly concerning the war in Ukraine. Albanese maintained confidence in the US’s obligation to defend Australia due to their Anzus agreement, stating, "We do... have an alliance with the United States," ensuring the Australian public of its strength.
Despite reassurances about US support, Albanese emphasized Australia's need for self-reliance, asserting, "We need to look after our own security." Advocacies for bolstering Australia’s defense capabilities reflect the leadership's recognition of the changing global security environment. Albanese stressed Australia's role, saying, "Australia decides what our position on Ukraine is," and reaffirming support for the Ukrainian people as they maintain their sovereignty against aggression.
Australia's financial commitment to Ukraine has reached $1.5 billion to date, with Albanese commenting, "If a big, powerful country can just go across borders, then the implications of this are global... We stand with the Ukrainian people." His comments highlight Australia’s proactive stance not only as a regional power but also as a contributor on the global stage.
Addressing issues closer to home, Albanese sidestepped questions about the upcoming federal election, focusing instead on presenting his government as one poised for re-election based on economic recovery factors. He referenced Australia's decrease in inflation from the sixes to twos since his administration's inception, pointing out job creation and increased real wages as indicators of success.
"If you don’t get the economy right, you don’t get other things right," he affirmed, connecting economic stability to broader policy successes. Albanese also touched on issues related to social equity, promising continuing efforts toward universal childcare, climate change initiatives, and enhancing women’s economic status.
During the discussion, Albanese faced difficult inquiries, particularly on the subject of antisemitism. Responding to community concerns, he denounced these forms of discrimination as "abhorrent and completely unacceptable to the Australian ethos," reinforcing his administration's commitment to fostering inclusive society.
Events leading up to the third anniversary of the invasion by Russia underline both the immediate needs of displaced populations and the broader diplomatic stakes involved as Australia strengthens its commitments to humanitarian support and vigilant defense policy. The lessons drawn from managing the refugee crisis and affirming alliances reveal the dual stance Australia takes: supportive and committed on both local and international fronts.