Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has brushed off criticism of his leadership after being confronted by a journalist in New York on Sunday night.
Albanese was taking questions ahead of the Atlantic Council Awards in New York, where he is set to be honoured with a Global Citizen Award for his contributions on the world stage, particularly in the Pacific.
The event is being held alongside the United Nations General Assembly, where Australia launched a formal bid for a two-year term on the powerful UN Security Council in 2029 and 2030.
The exchange turned tense when Writer-at-Large for The Nightly Latika Bourke questioned Albanese on whether he deserved the honour in light of his political standing in Australia, following a shock Newspoll that saw his popularity collapse.
‘Prime Minister, here in New York on Wednesday night, you will receive an award for being a global citizen,’ the journalist said.
‘Don’t you feel like a bit of a fraud accepting this award when at home you’ve screwed up the response to the worst massacre since Port Arthur, Labor is one point shy of where it was under Julia Gillard when you rolled her, and your net approval ratings are worse than Scott Morrison’s?’
Albanese’s response was brief and immediate.
‘No,’ he replied.
‘I am looking forward to Wednesday, (Papua New Guinea) Prime Minister (James) Marape will be introducing me. That is a sign of the friendship that is there between Papua New Guinea and Australia,’ he said.
Anthony Albanese (pictured) rejected criticism ahead of receiving an award in New York
The Nightly Writer-at-Large Latika Bourke (pictured) grilled Anthony Albanese over his award
A vote for Australia’s spot on the UN Security Council won’t be held until mid 2028, but lobbying efforts will intensify during Albanese’s visit.
Albanese said Australia’s role on the council would benefit ordinary citizens.
‘Engagement with the world matters. It matters because it makes a difference to the cost of living, to inflation, to Australians’ way of life,’ he told reporters in New York on Monday, Australian time.
‘That is why we can’t afford to not be engaged with the world, because it has a direct impact on the quality of life of Australians on a day-to-day basis.
‘We have an opportunity through this potential seat on the UN Security Council to play a key role in shaping the global issues that really matter to Australians.’
Australia has served on the security council five times since the UN was established following World War II.
The most recent stint was in 2013 and 2014, where Australia was able to lead a response to the Russian downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.
Albanese (pictured in 2025) will push for Australia to have a spot on the UN Security Council
Albanese said the role Australia played during that period was evidence of what a spot on the council could achieve.
‘We do need to stand up to the Middle East conflict. I think there is a role for middle powers to engage, and Australia has done that as we’ve engaged with the war in Ukraine in the coalition of the willing,’ he said.
Albanese began his US trip with a visit to Apple HQ in Silicon Valley on Saturday, where he met with Chairman Tim Cook.
He is also expected to hold a meeting with US President Donald Trump this week.
