Tag Archives: oceania

Ukrainian family settles in Queensland after escape

A Ukrainian family now calls Queensland home after fleeing war-torn Kyiv.

Met by their Australian cousin Olena Torchynska in Poland, young twins Arina and Kiril Torchynska with their mother Sasha Torchynska, grandparents, cousin and auntie escaped Ukraine to travel to Australia, before finding a home in Redcliffe in Brisbane.

"They only basically arrived with the shirts on their back because they didn't have time to pack," Olena Torchynska translated.

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"They made the decision within 10 minutes and put everything in the car, they literally arrived with nothing and it was winter so it was very difficult."

The family is now working to improve their English and find jobs while the young twins attend school on a full scholarship.

At every opportunity, the family seeks out news from back home and checks in with family members forced to stay behind.

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During a Facetime call to the twins' father, Vovo Torchynska, mandated to stay behind to assist with ongoing war efforts, the lights in their Kyiv home are switched off due to ongoing air raids.

"Really missing his family," Olena Torchynska translates.

"He's saying there's shooting and shelling going on at the moment in Kyiv."

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Sasha Torchynska said settling in a new country has been extremely challenging but a decision ultimately made to protect her family.

"We come because we tried to save our family, we tried to save our children," she said.

"It was very hard to leave our husbands in Ukraine everything is new for us in Australia.

"Everyday we look at the news."

The seven family members are sharing a two-bedroom rental in south-east Queensland, with hopes of finding new jobs and a bigger place to stay.

Despite their heartbreak, they say the Redcliffe community has been incredibly welcoming, providing them with clothing, essentials and services like free haircuts to assist wherever they can.

This week, a fundraising event was held at the Moreton Daily Stadium, supported by the Vidler Family Foundation and community donations, to help the Torchynska's get back on their feet.

"I'm hoping to pay for immigration lawyers and transport, a car for the family," Olena Torchynska said.

For the family, their greatest hope is an end to the war and to be reunited with their loved ones.

"Stop the war," Yana Torchynska said.

"It's a big hope."

Labor's policy costings to add $7.4 billion to the budget

Labor's policies would add $7.4 billion to the budget over the next four years.

The figures were announced today at a press conference by Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Shadow Finance Minister Katy Gallagher.

Gallagher described the $18.9 billion in new spending as "modest new investments".

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Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers.

She also forecast $11.5 billion in "budget improvements over the same time".

"Our plan has deficits but declining in dollar terms and as a percentage of the economy every year," she said.

"Spending as a percent of GDP declines in each and every year."

She noted the "responsible investments" account for just 0.4 per cent of the budget.

"We have worked really hard to make sure that every dollar we have spent is delivering an outcome for the Australian people," she said.

"Jobs, growth, lowering the cost of living, investing in local communities."

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Scott Morrison has slammed Labor for further growing the budget.

Chalmers was scathing of the Morrison government's budgeting over the past few years.

"Whoever wins the election on Saturday will inherit high and rising inflation with interest rates rising as well," he said.

"The worst real wages cut in more than 20 years. 

"$1 trillion in debt with almost nothing to show for it."

The costings documented 13 savings measures.

"We actually have something to show for a budget that is heaving with Liberal and national debt," Chalmers said.

"There is a budget repair task ahead of whoever wins the election."

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Anthony Albanese held his press conference before the costings were released.

But a Labor government would not force profitable companies to pay back the money they received from JobKeeper.

Labor has heavily criticised companies who took JobKeeper funds even though they didn't need it.

"We don't intend to compel them to return that money to the taxpayer," Chalmers said.

"That horse has bolted."

Labor leader Anthony Albanese was asked by reporters earlier today about why he held his press conference before the costings were released.

"Our policy costings are being released at exactly the same time as the Coalition, when in opposition, released their costings," he said.

"At the same time, in the same timeframe, they'll be released."

Albanese said he stood by the policies.

Speaking in Sydney this afternoon, Morrison panned Labor's costings.

"What we have always seen from the Labor Party is when they can't manage money, they come after yours in higher taxes," he said.

"That is the risk of Labor."