The Coalition is seeking answers from the Albanese Government after calls from Australia’s Ukrainian community to take a stand against Russian athletes competing under Russia’s national flag at the Paralympic Games were left unanswered.
Representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora made a last ditch effort to urge Australian officials to join several European nations and not attend the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games tomorrow morning (Australia time), by asking the Coalition to intervene.
In making representations to Government Ministers, Ukrainian community leaders highlighted the devastating human cost of Russia’s invasion, noting that more than 650 Ukrainian athletes, coaches and sports officials have been killed since 2022 as a result of Russia’s ongoing war.
The former Coalition Government welcomed the IPC decision to prevent Russia competing in the 2022 Winter Paralympics in Beijing due to Russia’s “unprovoked” and “unjustifiable” war against Ukraine.
The IPC has taken a different position on Russia’s involvement in the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milano Cortina, awarding Russia’s Paralympic Committee six slots to compete.
The decision to allow Russia’s flag to return risks normalising the actions of a regime responsible for a devastating conflict against Ukraine, which continues today.
Several European nations have responded by announcing they will not attend the Opening Ceremony. Yet, despite calls from Australia’s Ukrainian community for Australia to do the same, the Albanese Government has ignored their representations.
The Coalition’s support for Australia’s Paralympic athletes is absolute and unwavering. Our athletes have trained for years to represent their country and they should be free to participate in the Games.
The Australian Government should instruct all government officials to not attend the Opening Ceremony tomorrow in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
If the Government has decided otherwise, it should make explain its position to the Australian people, especially our Ukrainian-Australian community whose pleas have been ignored.
The Foreign Minister needs to make a public statement about this issue as a matter of urgency, given the Opening Ceremony takes place tomorrow.