Rebecca Gray,

Editor (Oceania)

 

CANBERRA – Australia has won a seat on the UN Security Council as a result of a four-year campaign. The result has come about after a two-third majority of seats was won by Australia, with 140 ‘Yes’ votes, well above the 129 needed to secure the position.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard, stated that the two-year period for which Australia will serve on the United Nations Security Council, as of January 2013, is much a deserved result of the efforts Australia has input into the council. She said, “It’s been 27 years since we served on the Security Council. We are a nation that is a substantial contributor to the UN, and so it was more than time for us to return to the Security Council and to play a role over the next two years in shaping events that are truly important to our nation

Gillard has given praise to Kevin Rudd for his ongoing determination and efforts. Rudd summoned the campaign requesting the seat on the Council during his term in office in 2008 as Prime Minister. He continued his appeal during his role as Minister of Foreign Affairs, a role that was later passed onto Bob Carr in February 2012.

Gillard made note to say “I would like to thank, in order, firstly, Kevin Rudd, for having the foresight as prime minister to put our name forward and to commence the bid process and then to pursue it so energetically as minister for foreign affairs.”

There are questions surrounding the degree of Australia’s involvement and whether it will cause tensions between Australia and the US and China. Gillard rejected claims that Australia’s new role would place any strains on relationships between the countries. She described any claims that Australia would have to ‘choose between the two’ as infantile. Julia Gillard believes that now the issues of violence in Syria must be addressed and “Australia will advocate for that”.

Opposition leader Tony Abbott welcomed the win, but questioned the usefulness of the investment. Over $25 million was spent over the duration of the bid which Abbott believed could have been better invested. “A win’s a win, I welcome it. Let’s hope we put the next two years on the Security Council to good use.”

Carr’s response to the result was one of satisfaction and national pride. He said “It’s countries saying ‘we like Australia. We think Australia’s role is good and positive and we want to see Australia provide leadership’”. Believing that the position will promote a positive perception of Australia.

The Australia government believes that the result will allow for a boost in Australia’s influence in world affairs and in the Asia-Pacific region over the next two years.