Taxpayer funds wasted in pursuit of temporary seat on UN Security Council

The Hon Julie Bishop MP
Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs
Deputy Leader of the Opposition

The Government’s Foreign Affairs Budget is being used to underwrite the pursuit of votes to support the Prime Minister’s ego-driven bid for a temporary seat on the United Nations Security Council, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop said today.

Ms Bishop said there is far too great a focus on the Security Council bid, which is more about Mr Rudd’s personal crusade than about Australia’s national interest.

“The only little justification for such a monumental effort, and cost, is that ‘Membership of the Security Council would enhance Australia's ability to shape international responses to security issues’(Budget paper No.2 page 266),” Ms Bishop said.

“The Budget reports direct cost of $11.2 million over two years for the Security Council bid, however there is potential for tens of millions of additional dollars to be used from other parts of the Budget, including the foreign aid budget.

“For example, the Budget includes an additional $106 million over four years to increase diplomatic links, including with countries in Africa and Latin America.

“It is clear that the bid for the Security Council is the rationale for putting additional funds and staff resources into Africa and Latin America.

“The Australian Government should keep its focus firmly on our region, given the range and scale of problems in countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Pacific.”

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