Australian Government response to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee report: Inquiry into Australian support for Ukraine

Recommendation 16

Recommendation 16

The committee recommends that the Australian Government urgently join Australia to the Demining Coalition for Ukraine.

Government Response to Recommendation 16

The Government notes this recommendation.

The Government notes that the De-mining Capability Coalition is one of eight capability coalitions under the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG). The Demining Capability Coalition, led by Lithuania and Iceland, is focused on developing the demining capabilities of the AFU.

While Australia is not in a position to join the Coalition at this time, Australia, through Defence, has provided demining materiel to Ukraine in previous military assistance packages. ADF de-mining equipment, worth $12 million, was included in the package announced during the Prime Minister’s visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, in July 2022, and as part of the $20 million defence industry package announced on 25 October 2023.

Australia’s focus within the UDCG capability coalitions remains the Drone Capability Coalition, led by the United Kingdom and Latvia, of which Australia is a member, recognising also Australia’s provision of drone systems and components in previous military assistance packages. In addition to our involvement with this coalition, the Government will continue to focus on the provision of meaningful military assistance aligned with the key needs of the AFU, together with support for the AFU through the ADF’s contribution, under Operation KUDU, to partner-led activities in Europe.

Recognising the importance of mine action in Ukraine, Australia (through DFAT) has contributed $85 million in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. This includes $35 million to the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund, which responds to critical humanitarian needs, including through mine action activities.

In 2023, Australia also entered into a four-year multi-million-dollar partnership with the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, which operates globally as well as in Ukraine. These funds support the clearance of contaminated land, the delivery of risk education to affected populations, and the provision of assistance to the victims of landmines.

Australia continues to be represented at global meetings on mine action in Ukraine, including most recently the 2024 Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC2024). Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Tim Watts MP, provided a video message at UMAC2024. Senior Australian Government representatives attended in person.