As Albanese receives an international award for his leadership on security, Australia remains outside the nuclear weapons ban treaty he once championed. Meanwhile, expanding US military access raises new questions about Australia’s exposure to nuclear conflict.

On Friday Prime Minister Anthony Albanese departed for New York for this year’s United Nations General Assembly session, where he launched Australia’s bid for a seat on the UN Security Council in 2029–30.

While there, he will also squeeze in a black-tie gala event where the Atlantic Council will present him with a Global Citizen Award “for his role in deepening Australia’s alliances and partnerships and promoting security and stability across the Indo-Pacific”. The ABC first reported the Atlantic Council was giving the award for the PM’s “inspirational leadership of Australia, his commitment to strengthening the AUKUS partnership and Indo-Pacific security cooperation, and his efforts to expand Australia’s engagement across Southeast Asia and the Pacific”.

The Atlantic Council is a US think tank established in the early 1960s to promote the alliances reflected in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). It describes its role as “advancing and advocating constructive US leadership in the world alongside friends and allies”. Its diverse funders include the US and other NATO governments, oil, weapons and nuclear power companies.

Others also being awarded this year are President Alexander Stubb of Finland “for his leadership in advancing European unity and strengthening Finland’s role in NATO”; Stefano Domenicali, president and chief executive of Formula 1; and Cynthia Erivo, award-winning actor, singer and producer.

Our PM should be at the UN General Assembly opening to promote international law and cooperation on the great challenges that confront all peoples. He should support the vital work of the UN,........

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