National News
Albanese launches bid for UN security council seat
Prime Minister Albanese has launched a formal bid for Australia to serve a two-year term on the UN security council in 2029 and 2030, insisting that it will be able to help with the cost of living.
A vote for the UN council spot won’t be held until mid 2028, but lobbying efforts will intensify during the prime minister’s visit to New York for the UN general assembly. Albanese also unveiled former News Corp head of broadcasting Siobhan McKenna as Australia’s next consul general to New York.
Australia has served on the security council five times since the UN was established after the second world war. The most recent stint was in 2013 and 2014, where Australia was able to lead a response to the Russian downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.
So far, only Australia and Finland have put their hands up for a spot on the council, but other countries from the bloc could still launch bids. The prime minister said he was optimistic of getting support from Pacific nations, as well as south-east Asian countries in the Asean pact.