Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash
Shadow Minister For Foreign Affairs
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Senator for Western Australia
17 NOVEMBER 2025
ALBANESE GOVERNMENT MUST CLARIFY AFGHAN STATUS
The Albanese Government must urgently clarify the future of Afghanistan’s diplomatic representation in Australia, following significant uncertainty surrounding the position of Ambassador Wahidullah Waissi and the ongoing operations of the Afghan Embassy in Canberra.
Ambassador Waissi was appointed by the former, pro-Western Afghan government that was overthrown by the Taliban in August 2021. Over the past four years, he has continued to serve with dignity and courage, remaining a steadfast and vocal critic of the Taliban’s medieval and oppressive rule, particularly its brutal treatment of Afghan women and girls.
Despite having no functional link to Kabul since the fall of the elected government, the Embassy has continued to operate with a skeleton staff, providing essential documentation to Australia’s 80,000-strong Afghan community. Yet the Taliban regime, which refuses to recognise the Embassy’s work, has reportedly directed that Ambassador Waissi’s diplomatic credentials not be renewed in February.
This situation is the direct result of the Taliban’s attempt to exert influence over Australia’s sovereign democratic processes.
Under no circumstances should the Albanese Government allow itself to be manoeuvred into decisions that could, even inadvertently, lend legitimacy to a regime that systematically denies basic human rights and freedoms to its own people.
The Government has stated it “does not regard the Taliban as the legitimate representative of the people of Afghanistan and has no intention of accepting a Taliban-nominated diplomat.” That position is welcome, but words must now be matched by decisive action.
Other countries have confronted similar challenges. In the United Kingdom, when the Taliban dismissed the Afghan Embassy’s staff in 2024, the mission closed, yet the flag of the pre-Taliban republic continues to fly as a clear symbol of Britain’s refusal to recognise the Taliban regime.
Australia must be equally resolute.
The Albanese Government must ensure that any administrative steps taken regarding the Afghan Embassy do not, directly or indirectly, confer recognition upon the Taliban, nor diminish Australia’s longstanding support for the Afghan people, particularly women and girls, who continue to face persecution and systemic discrimination.
Australia has always stood firmly against the Taliban’s brutality. At a time when Afghan women are barred from education, work, and basic public life, the Government has a moral responsibility to maintain a principled and unambiguous stance.
I call on the Albanese Government to immediately clarify its position and provide assurance to the Afghan community in Australia that our nation will not bow to Taliban pressure, nor take any action that could be misconstrued as endorsement of their monstrous and repressive rule.
ENDS
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