Media Release
FA58 / 23 April 2002
United Nations Security Council
In recent years Australia has established a strong track record
of successful candidacies for international bodies.
This is demonstrated by our recent election to the UN Commission
on Human Rights and elections to the Council of the Commission on
Narcotic Drugs, the Council of the International Civil Aviation
Organisation and the Council of the International Maritime Organisation.
We have also secured the election of Justice David Hunt to the
International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, Professor
Ivan Shearer to the Human Rights Committee and Professor Ken Wiltshire
as Australia's representative to the Executive Board of UNSECO.
Mr John Lockhart has recently taken up his position on the prestigious
Appellate Body of the World Trade Organisation.
There has been considerable ill-informed and self-serving commentary
about Australia's possible bid for a non-permanent seat on the United
Nations Security Council. The experience of 1996 should not be
used as a benchmark for any campaign by Australia in the future.
Cabinet has not yet made a decision on whether to pursue election
to the Security Council. There will be full and comprehensive consideration
of the costs and benefits of Security Council membership as well
as the challenges posed by a highly competitive campaign.
Media inquiries: Matt Francis (Ministerial) 02 6277 7500 / Julie
McDonald (Departmental) 02 6261 1555
Local Date:
Monday, 20-May-2013 07:03:28 EST
