Airbus Albo’s Foreign Failures
Airbus Albo has landed back in Australia after a series of foreign policy failures from his 15-day globetrotting tour.
The first leg of Albo’s tour was in the Pacific where he failed to secure much hyped defence treaties with both Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. The Albanese Government’s scramble to secure defence and multilateral treaties with Pacific nations was triggered by the Solomon Islands signing a security pact with PR China who by coincidence, were the host of this year’s Pacific Islands Forum.
Then Albanese spent a week in New York City to attend the opening of the 80th Session of the United Nations. Travelling with him were Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen and Communications Minister Anika Wells in support of Albanese’s key global addresses to the UN.
First, he spoke on Australia recognising a state of Palestine, then spruiking Australia as a climate action leader in the Indo-Pacific and his government’s emissions reduction targets, which now include a 2035 target of 62-70% emissions reduction by 2035 and of course net zero by 2050.
He also advocated for other nations to adopt Australia’s U16 social media ban, which comes into effect on December 10. The Albanese Government arranged for Emma Mason to address the assembly, whose 15-year-old daughter Tilly died by suicide after being bullied on social media to advocate for the U16 ban EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was very receptive.
Albanese was left off the list of leaders US President Donald Trump was to meet with at the UN at New York.Trump’s last public encounter with an Australian ABC Four Corners reporter John Lyons who asked him about his business activities while President left a bitter taste.
Though Albo did sneak in a selfie with Trump at the Lotte New York Palace. After that it was announced that a White House meeting between Albo and Trump is scheduled for October 20. Trump cancelled on Albo at the last minute back at the G7 in June to deal with the Israel-Iran war outbreak.
Two days after their selfie Trump announced 100% across-the-board tariff on pharmaceuticals. Though in better news for Albo the AUKUS US submarine purchases look secure following a review by US Under Secretary of Defence for policy, Elbridge Colby.
Albo’s trip to the UK began with progressive love in at Global Progress Action Summit in London attended by UK PM Keir Starmer, Canadian PM Mark Carney and other left wing heads of government, where they discussed how to counter the rise of the far-right.
This was the same Summit where Starmer announced a mandatory digital ID BritCard would be rolled out. Australia’s digital ID called myID is voluntary for now.
After having lunch with King Charles at Balmoral in ScotlandAlbanese travelled to Liverpool to address the UK Labour Party conference a blatant act of foreign political campaigning for which he was criticised. The Prime Minister’s staff didn’t travel with him to Liverpool to the conference, we don’t know if Albanese charged the taxpayer for his travel.
Albo defended himself by saying he met with Conservative Opposition leader Kemi Bandenoch. But he did not meet with Reform Party Leader Nigel Farage despite Reform leading in the polls.
The last leg of Airbus Albo’s travels was in the United Arab Emirates, where his most significant statement was in support of the Indian-owned Lulu Hypermarket establishing stores in Australia to increase competition in the supermarket industry.
He won’t be back in Australia for long. After his White House visit on October 20 there is still then ASEAN Summit in Laos, CHOGM in Samoa, the G20 in Rio, Brazil and then APEC in Peru.
Albanese is currently dealing with a potential foreign and economic crisis with PR China with reports they have instructed their iron ore companies not to buy from Australian firm BHP. Albanese said he won’t get involved at this stage.
Albanese has taken partial credit for President Trump’s 20 point Gaza plan, claiming Australia, France, Canada and the UK’s recognition of a state of Palestine nudged the US and Israel.
Though Albanese did finish the day with some good news. After his humiliation in Papua New Guinea, the cabinet has signed off on the defence security pact.
You can view the latest Snapshot report below:
About The Author
