We can’t forget Afghanistan

RUSSIA has invaded Ukraine and war has once again broken out in Europe.

Back home, it’s been a difficult and traumatising few months as Queensland and NSW have faced catastrophic floods.

Thank you to the Territorians helping devastated communities.

But we should not forget Afghanistan. Following the fall of Kabul to the Taliban and the collapse of the Afghan government last year, the country has sunk into a deep humanitarian crisis.

There is now widespread hunger and humanitarian need among the Afghan populace, compounding their fear and uncertainty. Despite years of peace talks, the end of the war and the Taliban’s victory have brought neither greater security nor a reprieve from chaos and suffering for the Afghan people.

A terrible drought has been exacerbated by targeted and necessary sanctions against the Taliban, reductions in foreign aid, and the collapse of the economy. This situation is even more difficult to accept given the circumstances of the end of Australia’s participation in Afghanistan. After two decades, the loss of 41 Australian lives in-country – including Territorian Scotty Palmer and many more veterans – and countless wounded, this is the consequence of long and inconsistent efforts to stabilise that nation. I’m proud that efforts to further recognise those killed or wounded are coming to fruition, but more needs to be done. This political situation is frustrating to many Australians with long connections to Afghanistan, who worked hard to build and help that country.

To see the efforts of so many go backwards, and the reprisals against those who worked with the international forces, is a source of great dismay.

I am concerned that the recent allocation of humanitarian and family visas will be too late, too late for those who supported Australia’s mission – and their families. Australia has a moral obligation to the people of Afghanistan given our recent shared history.

The Road Transport Industry Association is lobbying for the scores of Afghan evacuees who drove trucks for Australia and partner forces in Afghanistan to be given the opportunity to contribute here.

As Covid-19 disrupts supply chains and industry is crippled by a reduced workforce and skills shortages, these new arrivals could get financial assistance to complete the necessary TAFE courses to be able to drive on Australian highways.

They could be driving resupply road trains across the expanses of Western and Northern Australia, a modern-day version of the Afghan cameleers who supported Australian explorers over a century ago. Those cameleers resupplied cattle stations, and helped build the Overland Telegraph Line and the railways.

In doing so, they opened up the interior, sustaining and building Australia as a nation. Australia and Afghanistan are forever linked, especially here in the Territory, where they could help us continue the work they began so long ago, developing the north.