Australia is set to start funding “lethal aid” to send to Ukraine, in a significant shift in the kind of support being provided to the country following its invasion by Russia.
The federal government had previously said it would only be offering “non-lethal” support to the besieged nation.
After attending a Ukrainian church service in Sydney on Sunday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters Australia would “continue to stand up for what is right when it comes to Ukraine”.
“We are already providing significant support in terms of non-lethal aid, but I've just spoken with the Defence Minister (Peter Dutton) and we'll be seeking to provide whatever support we can for lethal aid through our NATO partners, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom,” he said.
“We're working through those panels because that's the most effective way to do it. They are already providing support in these areas, and we will be assisting them with what they are doing.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison attends a mass in support of Ukraine during a vigil in Sydney. Source: AAP / Brendon Thorne/AAP
Mr Morrison said the government was considering “every option” in what steps to take next, including potentially expelling Russian diplomats in Australia.
“We are taking actions against President Putin and his foreign minister and we will continue to add names to those lists [of sanctions],” he said.
“We are considering the situation of the [Russian] embassy here in Australia alongside our partners and we are working in lockstep with all of them.”
Mr Morrison also welcomed the move to as part of another round of international sanctions.
But the prime minister would not be drawn on concern around China and Taiwan. Tensions have been high in recent months, with some fearful a conflict could be around the corner.
“The situations are very, very different, the situation in Taiwan and the situation in Ukraine, so I want to put Australians with ease in not conflating those two issues,” he said.
Earlier, Labor’s foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong said the party would back the federal government if it decided to ratchet up sanctions and ban all trade with Russia.
"I hope we will see a continued ratcheting up of sanctions. We do need to ensure that the cost of Mr Putin's actions bite on him, those around him and on Russia," she told the ABC.
NSW Premier Dominic Pettottet on Sunday posted to social media a letter he wrote to Mr Morrison, saying that his government was "more than willing" to help Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion resettle in the state.
Mr Morrison said visa applications from Ukrainians were being processed as a priority.
“We will also be providing in the months to come and in the years to come support through our humanitarian program, but not just the humanitarian program,” he said.
Visas will be issued through "all aspects" of the immigration program, Mr Morrison said, including the student and family streams.
