Anthony Albanese rejects that he feels like a ‘fraud’ accepting UN ‘global citizen’ award despite home woes

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he does not feel like a “fraud” for accepting an award at the United Nations for being a “global citizen” despite falling economic standards in Australia.

The Labor leader gave a terse response when asked at a press conference in America overnight about the international accolade which comes when his popularity in Australia is at an all-time low.

“Prime Minister, here in New York on Wednesday night, you will receive an award for being a global citizen. Don’t you feel like a bit of a fraud accepting this award when, at home, you screwed up the response to the worst massacre since Port Arthur?,” The Nighty’s Latika M Bourke asked.

“In the polls, you are taking Labor to one point shy of Julia Gillard when you rolled her, and your net negatives are worse than Scott Morrison.”

Mr Albanese snapped back “no” before moving on to the next question.

The blunt exchange came just hours after it was revealed that Labor’s primary vote fell to 27 per cent in the latest Newspoll.

The polling follows a troubled year for the PM marked by backlash to his contentious Federal Budget changes, criticism of his response to the Bondi Beach massacre and appearance on a controversial podcast.

Despite his woes at home, Mr Albanese used the press conference to officially launch Australia’s campaign for a non-permanent, two-year seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2029 and 2030.

He insisted the gig on the body, which is one of six that is responsible for maintaining international peace and security, would give the Indo-Pacific middle power a stronger voice on decisions affecting the country and the region.

Under the slogan “we listen, we partner, we protect” the campaign is expected to focus on Australia’s support for Pacific nations, action on climate change, international law and the PM’s tech agenda on artificial intelligence, cyber threats and online safety.

“Australia’s voice on the council matters, so we can be a part of shaping some of the biggest issues we are facing the world and our nation over the next decade,” he said.

Australia belongs to the Western European and Others Group, or WEOG, and alongside Finland are so far the only candidates for the two upcoming vacant positions.

Australia can’t nominate itself and take a seat and must win the support of two-thirds of UN General Assembly members present and voting at the June 2028 election.

The PM said he expected support from Pacific countries and ASEAN neighbours, plus talked up Australia’s ties with nations across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

The Opposition called for transparency around the bid after the last diplomatic pitch had a multi-million dollar taxpayer funded campaign.

Deputy Liberal leader Jane Hume said while the Coalition supported broader international representation, which former Liberal foreign Minister Julie Bishop had lobbied for, Australia needed to be responsible with the budget.

“The bid for a position on the UN Security Council was something that was started under Julie Bishop and the Coalition government. We’re pleased to see that the government has continued to pursue that,” she told News24.

“What we would call, though, for is transparency in that bid because let’s face it, this government doesn’t have a terrific record of how it uses taxpayer dollars.

“Certainly, we know that Chris Bowen’s failed bid for the COP has cost Australians an awful lot of money.”

Before travelling to New York for the leaders’ week, Mr Albanese had visited Apple’s headquarters in California to speak with Tim Cook about new child safety features.

Mr Albanese had used last year’s UN General Assembly to tout his world first under-16s social media ban and has pledged to use the 2026 forum to spruik his approach to AI and roll out of the Digital Duty of Care, which will offer an opt-out to algorithms.