Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has formally launched Australia's bid for a two-year term on the United Nations Security Council in 2029 and 2030, and simultaneously named former News Corp head of broadcasting Siobhan McKenna as the next consul-general to New York.
The announcement came during Albanese's visit to New York for the UN General Assembly, where lobbying efforts are set to intensify ahead of a vote scheduled for mid-2028. Australia and Finland are currently the only two countries vying for the seat, though other nations from the Western Europe and Others Group could still enter the race.
Campaign focuses on middle powers, Pacific ties
Albanese expressed optimism about securing support from Pacific nations and Southeast Asian countries within the ASEAN pact. The campaign, dubbed "we listen, we partner, we protect," aims to amplify the voices of middle powers and smaller nations in the UN.
"Engagement with the world matters. It matters because it makes a difference to the cost of living, to inflation, to Australians' way of life," Albanese told reporters in New York on Monday, Australian time. "We have an opportunity through this potential seat on the UN Security Council to play a key role in shaping the global issues that really matter to Australians."
Australia's track record on the council
Australia has served on the Security Council five times since the UN was established after World War II, with the most recent term in 2013 and 2014. During that period, Australia led the response to the Russian downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.
Albanese cited that experience as evidence of what a council seat can achieve. "We do need to stand up to the Middle East conflict. I think there is a role for middle powers to engage, and Australia has done that as we've engaged with the war in Ukraine in the coalition of the willing," he said.
Even if Australia and Finland run unopposed, Australia would still need support from two-thirds of the 193 UN member states to secure the seat. The Security Council comprises 15 members, with China, France, the US, UK, and Russia holding permanent seats and the remaining 10 serving two-year terms.
McKenna appointed to New York post
The campaign will leverage Australia's role in the Pacific and its climate change action in the region. Australia's pioneering ban on social media for under-16s and recent efforts to regulate artificial intelligence will also feature prominently.
McKenna, currently chair of Australia Post and former chair of the NBN, will take up her role later in the year. "Siobhan is someone who will bring a great deal of financial and economic capacity to the role," Albanese said.
