Address to the House of Representatives, Statements by Members - Ukraine

Tuesday 8 August 2023

On Monday last week, on behalf of Senator Bilyk and Senator Reynolds, I hosted a special parliamentary screening of the documentary Masha & Valentyna. It follows two Ukrainians who've been displaced by Russia's illegal and immoral invasion. In the face of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, millions of women and children, including 17-year-old Masha and 41-year-old Valentyna, flee to Poland. While news of the horrors of the war in Ukraine drips in regularly, the world rarely hears about what life is like for the refugees who have sought safe haven in countries like Poland.

This documentary tells its story, reminding us that war is not just tanks and bombs; it displaces millions of innocent civilians. It's an extraordinary and powerful documentary. We heard from the director of the film, Simon Target, and I'd like to thank Simon for bringing this film to thousands of Australians. Masha & Valentyna is a must-see documentary that is available to watch for free on SBS On Demand. I urge all members of parliament interested in the war in Ukraine to take the time to watch this film.

"While news of the horrors of the war in Ukraine drips in regularly, the world rarely hears about what life is like for the refugees who have sought safe haven in countries like Poland."