This week in Australian foreign affairs: Statements on Ukraine, Morrison attends the UK-Australia Virtual Summit, Antarctica funding, and more.

On 23 February, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne announced Australia’s “response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.” He referred to the actions as a “first phase” comprising travel bans and “targeted financial sanctions” on eight members of Russia’s Security Council. The sanctions will mean that Australian individuals and entities will be unable to do business with Rossiya Bank, Promsvyazbank, IS Bank, Genbank and the Black Sea Bank for Development and Reconstruction. Morrison also noted that the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 will be amended to extend existing sanctions that apply to Crimea and Sevastopol to Donetsk and Luhansk, prohibiting trade in the transport, energy, telecommunications, and oil, gas and mineral sectors. Further, the Regulations will be amended “to significantly broaden the scope of people and entities that Australia can list for sanctions to include those of ‘strategic and economic significance to Russia.’” The subjects of these additional sanctions are currently being identified through collaboration with Australia’s “key partners”, the United States and the United Kingdom. Morrison stated that the announcement represents “the beginning of our sanctions process, as we remain deeply concerned that Russia is escalating its aggression.” He further announced that all Ukrainians in Australia with visas due to expire before 30 June will be given an automatic six month extension, and outstanding visa applications from Ukrainian citizens will be “prioritised and fast tracked.”

In a press conference on 23 February, Morrison repeated United States President Joe Biden’s comments that “the invasion of Ukraine has effectively already begun.” He stated that “this invasion is unjustified, it’s unwarranted, it’s unprovoked and it’s unacceptable.” Morrison added that “Australia will always stand up to bullies and we will be standing up to Russia, along with all of our partners, like-minded and all of those who believe that it is absolutely unacceptable that Russia could invade its neighbour.”

On 17 February, Morrison attended the UK-Australia Virtual Summit with United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The leaders “reaffirmed the unique relationship between Australia and the United Kingdom, built on shared values and common interests, and sustained by the deep bonds between our people.” They “discussed the concerning situation on Ukraine’s border” and emphasised “their unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.” The leaders further pledged to “deepen and intensify cooperation across several key pillars”: trade and investment, AUKUS, security and defence, climate and environment, the COVID-19 pandemic, science and technology, and collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region.

Morrison, alongside Payne and Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley, announced an $804.4 million investment over the next ten years “to strengthen [Australia’s] strategic and scientific capabilities in the [Antarctic] region” on 22 February. He noted that the package “would both strengthen Australia’s national interests in Antarctica and be a jobs boost for Australians through local procurement.”

On 20 February, Morrison acknowledged the 50^th anniversary of Australia-Poland diplomatic relations with his Polish counterpart, Mateusz Morawiecki. The leaders noted that “in recent years our countries have worked together closely as democracies – supporting the rules-based international order and open and fair trade. We have enjoyed strong economic growth and the increasing success of our business links.

Morrison issued a media release marking the 80^th anniversary of the bombing of Darwin during the Second World War on 19 February. He stated that “in New Guinea, Borneo, Solomon Islands, and across the South Pacific and Southeast Asia, Australia helped to halt and then push back militaristic Japanese forces. With our allies, we turned the tide against militarism, and won a heroic victory.” Morrison further acknowledged the “deep and lasting friendship between the people of Australia and Japan” and stated that “out of the suffering of war we have turned to each other in a spirit of reconciliation and respect. Our nations’ commitment to freedom, security and democracy now provides a solid foundation for the future peace and stability of the region.”

On 17 February, Morrison virtually attended the Timor-Leste-Australia Leaders’ Meeting with his Timor-Leste counterpart, Taur Matan Ruak. The leaders “reaffirmed the fundamental importance” of their bilateral relationship and acknowledged the 20^th anniversary of diplomatic relations. They further announced the commencement of a new five-year, $30 million Australian investment in health sector support for Timor-Leste “to strengthen the delivery of primary health care services including to improve nutrition, hygiene and sanitation, and sexual and reproductive health.” Morrison also “confirmed” that Australia would provide support for the redevelopment of Dili International Airport, and the leaders “welcomed” Qantas Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce’s announcement that the airline will establish a permanent commercial route between Darwin and Dili under the new Australia-Timor-Leste Air Services Agreement.

Payne, alongside Minister for Defence Peter Dutton and Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews, issued a joint media release on 20 February attributing the cyber attacks against the Ukrainian banking sector earlier that month to the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate. The Ministers stated that “Russia’s actions pose a significant risk to global economic growth and international stability.”

On 17 February, Payne announced her upcoming visit to the United Arab Emirates, Germany, Poland, France, the Czech Republic and Laos. Payne’s trip will include meeting with senior government figures in the United Arab Emirates, Laos, and the Czech Republic, participating in the Munich Security Conference, celebrating the 70^th and 50 anniversaries of diplomatic relations with Germany and Poland respectively, and attending the European Union Ministerial Forum for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

Payne co-chaired a Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the Steering Group of the Bali Process on 21 February with her Indonesian counterpart. Attendees at the meeting were representatives from Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Thailand, the International Organization of Migration, and the United Nations Human Rights Council. They “discussed how COVID-19 continues to shape health, economic and social impacts” and how “these have significantly impacted migration and increased factors for irregular movement.”

Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews announced on 17 February that eight terrorist organisations will be listed under the Criminal Code: Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, Hurras al-Din, and the National Socialist Order have all been listed; Abu Sayyaf Group, al-Qa’ida, al-Qa’ida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb, and Jemaah Islamiyah have been re-listed; and the Government intends to “list the entirety of Hamas”.

On 22 February, Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong condemned Russia’s “unilateral recognition of separatist territories in eastern Ukraine.” Albanese and Wong expressed their “strong support” for Ukraine’s sovereignty and “condemnation” of Russia’s “continuing aggression. They further noted that “Labor expects to be consulted on any developments in Australia’s position. In an election year it is critical that bipartisanship be maintained on challenges to national security that affect us all, and which go beyond domestic politics.”

Wong and Shadow Minister for Defence Brendan O’Connor issued a joint statement on 20 February in which they “strongly condemn[ed] the reckless and unprofessional act by a Chinese PLA-Navy vessel targeting an Australian defence aircraft with a military grade laser, potentially endangering the lives of those on board.” They noted that “China must understand that such actions will only engender further mistrust.”

Isabella Keith is a weekly columnist for Australian Outlook. She is also an undergraduate student at the Australian National University studying Law and Politics, Philosophy and Economics. Isabella’s research interests include international law and comparative constitutional law.

This article is published under a Creative Commons License and may be republished with attribution.