Albanese launches formal bid

Prime minister Anthony Albanese has launched a formal bid for Australia to serve a two-year term on the UN security council in 2029 and 2030.

Council seat helps cost of living

Albanese told reporters in New York on Monday that engagement with the world matters because it makes a difference to the cost of living, to inflation, to Australians' way of life.

“Engagement with the world matters. It matters because it makes a difference to the cost of living, to inflation, to Australians' way of life.”

Australia's security council history

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, when Australia led a response to the Russian downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.

Two-thirds majority needed

Even if Australia and Finland run unopposed, Australia would still need support from two-thirds of the 193 UN member states to be successful. Of the 15 security council members, China, France, the US, UK and Russia are permanent members.

Campaign focuses on Pacific support

Albanese said he was optimistic of getting support from Pacific nations and south-east Asian countries in the Asean pact. The campaign, called we listen, we partner, we protect, will focus on boosting the voices of middle powers and smaller nations.

Social media ban part of pitch

Australia's action to be the first country in the world to ban people under 16 from using social media will be at the forefront of the campaign, along with recent efforts to place guardrails on the expanding use of artificial intelligence.

McKenna named consul general

Albanese defended former News Corp head of broadcasting Siobhan McKenna as Australia's next consul general to New York. McKenna, the chair of Australia Post and former chair of the NBN, will take up the role later in the year.

“Siobhan McKenna is a professional, and she will do an outstanding job representing Australia and the Australian government here in New York.”