Scott Morrison announces $100million package of ‘lethal’ weapons funding from Australia

Scott Morrison has announced a $100m package of ‘lethal’ weapons funding from Australia - with a large chunk assigned to buy missiles and ammunition for Ukraine.

Scott Morrison has declared Russia “a pariah state” as he announced a $100 million package of “lethal” weapons funding from Australia for missiles and ammunition.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison today confirmed the announcement will include $50 million in missiles and ammunition in US dollars to Ukraine.

A further $25 million in US dollars will go to international organisations to support their efforts with shelter, food, medical care, water and education support.

“This will be our opening contribution. We expect over time there will be further requests and we will be addressing those as time goes on,’’ he said.

“We’re talking missiles, ammunition, we are talking about supporting them in their defence of their homeland. The overwhelming majority of that will be in the lethal category.”

The package is worth an estimated $103 million in Australian dollars.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison met with the national security committee of cabinet on Ukraine, and then spoke to media at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Mr Morrison said Russia was now “a pariah state.”

“They have self-selected themselves as a pariah state,’’ he said.

“That’s how they should be known. All around the world. No-one should have anything to do with them, frankly, right around the world.”

Asked if Australia knew exactly what weapons would be bought, or if we have been informed by NATO countries ‘this is what we want to send, can you pay for it,’ Mr Morrison said it was a combination.

“It’s a combination of both and we work closely with NATO partners about what can be most effective,’’ he said.

Mr Morrison said that hundreds of refugees would also be welcomed on visas although many were expected to return when it was safe to do so.

“They can come to Australia,’’ he said.

“In one form or another. In addition we are receiving around 100 applications a day which are being processed as the top priority. Their visa applications across the entire migration program so they offer temporary visas on skills, education visas, family reunion visas and getting the stamp.

“For some of those on temporary visas...they want to come to Australia for a period of time and I have no doubt they will want to return to their home country.

“We shouldn’t make the mistake to think every person who is seeking to leave Ukraine doesn’t want to return to their home country.

“I have no doubt hundreds of thousands, if not more, will want to return. It’s where their family is and where their lives are.”

Mr Morrison also urged China not to offer a lifeline to Russia.

“But the impact of the world’s response to impose a price on President Putin needs to be

re- and forced by countries like China,’’ he said.

“If they extend the lifeline to them, as they have in taking their wheat exports by easing trade restrictions on Russian wheat into China, that undermines the principled stance being taken by so many other countries around the world.”