Good afternoon.
Labor’s immigration plans are being dissected – and we’ll be answering your questions on that tomorrow.
The debate won’t stop today – we’ll be hearing rumblings over the coming days and weeks. But one person who might be noticeably absent from Canberra during that time is the prime minister himself.
When Anthony Albanese’s official plane takes off tomorrow morning, it will be the first flight of many between now and Christmas. And as important as his international obligations might be – they won’t be without political risk.
Hot topics and flashpoints
Albanese is headed to the UN general assembly, with a side stop at the Apple HQ in California, where the hot button issues of online safety and AI are likely to crop up.
At the UN in New York, he will have a series of meetings with world leaders and corporate bosses, discussing the climate crisis, AI, social media protection and the uncertain geopolitical era. He’ll also deliver the annual leaders address to the UN and attend a cocktail party, hosted by the US president, Donald Trump.
Australia plans to launch its bid for a seat on the UN security council during leaders week. We’re one of the countries running to become a temporary member of the security council for the 2029-30 term. The bid would see us return to the panel for the first time since 2014.
Albanese is also expected to be honoured by the Atlantic Council, with its annual Global Citizen Awards, for his leadership in the Asia Pacific amid a rapidly shifting security situation.
The busy summit season will see him away a lot between now and the end of the year, from the Cop climate conference in Turkey, pre-Cop meetings in the Pacific, the Asean and Apec summits in Asia and possibly the Commonwealth leaders summit in Antigua in November.
The big final trip for the year is likely back to the US for the G20 summit, hosted by Trump in Florida, in December. There he will also meet other major leaders including Canada’s Mark Carney and Britain’s Andy Burnham. Australia’s strong stand on social media algorithms and forcing big platforms to pay for news content produced by local media outlets could be a flashpoint with the US president. It’s not clear whether any events will take place at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, but if they do, it would mark what is believed to be Albanese’s first visit to the Palm Beach estate.
‘Airbus Albo’
The PM has shown increasing confidence on the world stage. His trip to the UN this time last year was a success, and he is increasingly well known among his peer leaders, not least for Australia’s ambitious leadership on social media protection for children.
Interestingly, his elevated international standing comes as domestic polls show a slide in support. Earlier this month, Albanese recorded his lowest approval rating as prime minister.
Voters don’t love the idea of politicians spending too much time away, enjoying the perks of the office. In previous years, the opposition has seized such moments to push their “Airbus Albo” label and create a narrative that he is needed more at home than overseas. With parliament not sitting next week, though, the PM may manage to escape some of the criticisms levelled at him in the past.
Support from the Greens will be crucial for Labor to implement their immigration legislation. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP
