Aussie Senator Payman echoes AFUO’s call to halt Russian oil imports

Western Australian Sen. Fatima Payman has raised concerns in the Australian Senate over the import of fossil fuel that is potentially linked to Russian crude oil.

Her appeal comes as part of the #StopFuellingRussiasWar campaign that is led by the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO), which is urging the federal government to close sanctions loopholes that Moscow continues to exploit.

Oil products comprise a huge chunk of revenues for Russia’s economy and are eventually funneled into the Kremlin’s war machine coffers. 

Payman specifically addressed Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong following public outcry over the arrival of the Sefaris oil tanker at the port of Kwinana in Western Australia.

“There are 3 oil tankers filled with products tainted by laundered Russian oil unable to ship to Europe because the EU has cracked down on the type of sanctions evasions we are seeing right now in my home state,” she told the Senate.

Australians, she said, deserve to know that fueling their cars isn’t contributing to the war in Ukraine.

“Will the government follow the EU’s lead to close these loopholes that are available for third party countries and send in the Border Force to stop this fuel from reaching Australian bowsers?” Payman asked.

AFUO has written to every federal member of parliament and senator, calling on them to support a ban on importing oil products that contain Russian crude.

“Our values shouldn’t be undermined at the pump. Australia must act now,” AFUO said in a statement.

According to AFUO, Australia has transferred an estimated AU$1.93 billion to the Kremlin’s budget through fuel imports since the start of 2023 — more than the AU$1.6 billion in aid Australia has provided to Ukraine.

“Sixty percent of Australians want this loophole closed,” AFUO said.

The organization is also urging the public to contact their local lawmakers and call for support in closing the aforementioned loopholes.