Gillard to push Australia's UN bid

24 Sep 2012, 6:04 am   -   Source: AAP
Share This
0 
+ Comment
5
Australia, which last held a seat in 1985-86, is competing against frontrunners Finland and Luxembourg, with two positions available in its non-permanent category. (AAP)

Australia, which last held a seat in 1985-86, is competing against frontrunners Finland and Luxembourg, with two positions available in its non-permanent category. (AAP)

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has arrived in New York, where she'll lobby world leaders in a bid to win Australia a seat on the United Nations Security Council.

RELATED

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has arrived in New York, where she'll lobby world leaders in a bid to win Australia a seat on the United Nations Security Council.

Ms Gillard flew out on Sunday morning ahead of this week's formal opening of the UN General Assembly, where she will address the gathering of world leaders.

In October the General Assembly will vote to fill five Security Council membership seats that are due for renewal for a 2013-14 term.

Australia, which last held a seat in 1985-86, is competing against frontrunners Finland and Luxembourg, with two positions available in its non-permanent category.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr, who is also in New York bolstering support for Australia's bid, said he was optimistic but it was always going to be a challenge.

"We've been very encouraged by support we've had," Senator Carr told ABC TV on Sunday.

"It's always tough for Australia to win a ballot... because Australia's not part of a major bloc."

He said Australia entered the race in 2008 "somewhat late" compared to Finland and Luxembourg.

The island nations of the Pacific and the Caribbean had offered their endorsement to Australia, while encouragement from Africa, Europe and Asia had been strong, Senator Carr said.

China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States are permanent council members, assisted by 10 non-permanent members.

Senator Carr said he shared the personal passion of former foreign minister Kevin Rudd in seeking a spot on the Council, adding Australia's diplomats had been working around the clock on the campaign.

"I've put a lot into this," he said.

The foreign minister said Australia had much to contribute to world affairs, with membership in the G20, a strong economy, a peacekeeping role in the Pacific and a key role in Afghanistan.

"I think Australia's got a lot to contribute," he said.

Ms Gillard will meet with other world leaders during her New York visit, as well as attending events relating to the Millennium Development Goals, education and international peacekeeping.

Bob Carr , United Nations , Julia Gillard

  • Follow us: 
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Youtube

Your Comments

Foreigm minister

Allan - from Allan.aitchison@optusnet.com.au, 9 months ago

Reality check here, how refreshing to see Carr and his warped sence of humor hit the ground running ,when he takes a swipe you hear it, he has more purpose than the handbag team and stands out as true leadership material within a bland lot both sides of the house and is usually spot on within his current role.

UN = Useless Nations...

Ryan - from Earth, 9 months ago

After seeing what the UN achieved in the Serbian wars and they just sat back and watched as people and children where killed I can't have any other opinion but this. They are just presence to atrocity..

Self Interest

Brian Bower - from Mittagong, 9 months ago

Country is going down the drain. P.M & Foreign Minister, all they are worried about is getting on the U.N.S.C. It is all about their own self interest. The cost, $40 million dollars. I am glad they are not in charge of my finances.

Rudd threat solution

Don Mackaness - from Worrigee NSW, 9 months ago

How clever, that would remove Kevin Rudd as a challenging threat to Julia.

Mr

Sulli85 - from Coffs Harbour, 9 months ago

Another excuse for her to give away more money we need here at home

Join the Discussion

Name
City / Suburb E.g. Artarmon, Sydney
Title
Comment
You have characters remaining.
Validation
What's this?
This is a captcha-picture. It is used to prevent mass-access by robots.
All submitted comments become the property of SBS. They are moderated, so we reserve the right to edit comments and remove HTML tags. Not all submitted comments will be published. Publication does not mean we endorse the opinions expressed. Please read our terms and conditions for more information.