Ukraine’s President to address Australian parliament

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to address Australia’s Parliament within days as the conflict in his country rages on.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to address Australia’s parliament. Picture: AFP Photo

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to address Australia’s Parliament on Thursday evening.

Mr Zelensky is due to give a speech from 5.30pm, thanking Australia for its support for Ukraine as the conflict caused by the Russian invasion rolls into its second month.

The timing of his address has raised some eyebrows because the government is believed to have invited Mr Zelensky to speak just two hours before Anthony Albanese delivers the opposition’s budget reply, according to multiple media reports.

Scott Morrison last week flagged the possibility of Mr Zelensky speaking to Parliament during budget week, following his addresses to the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, pictured here speaking to the Doha Forum in Qatar, is expected to address Australia’s Parliament on Thursday. Picture: Karim Jaafar/AFP

The Prime Minister told Brisbane’s 4BC radio last week that he was in discussions with Ukraine’s leaders about addressing Australia’s Parliament.

“We are in regular contact with the president and the prime minister,” Mr Morrison said.

Mr Morrison’s office on Tuesday evening declined to confirm the reports, which emerged after Treasurer Josh Frydenberg handed down the government’s federal budget for 2022.

Both Mr Morrison and the Opposition Leader have unequivocally condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin’s military assault on Ukraine, which has killed more than 1000 civilians and displaced more than 10 million people.

Australia has committed some $91m worth of military assistance, including lethal aid, to Ukraine, as well as $65m in emergency humanitarian assistance.

Mr Albanese will deliver Labor’s budget reply at 7.30pm on Thursday.