Luke speaks to Tim Smith, a former Victorian MP and close friend of the show, who is currently in Ukraine advocating for the Australian government to reinstate its diplomatic presence. 

Mr Smith, who has been living in London pursuing further studies and working as a current affairs commentator, joined Australian business leader Alistair Walton in Kyiv, where they met with Ukraine’s ambassador to Canberra. 

The federal government is facing pressure to relocate its ambassador to Kyiv, following the example of other countries who have returned their diplomatic missions after initially withdrawing during the conflict. 

Smith criticises Australia for abandoning its embassy in Kyiv while its key allies have reinstated theirs, sending a message of solidarity against Russia’s aggression.  He questions Australia’s absence saying, “Where the bloody hell are we?”

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