Perhaps Australian journalist Latika Bourke asked the question many Australians will be thinking.

As Anthony Albanese prepares to receive the Atlantic Council’s Global Citizen Award in New York, Bourke confronted the Prime Minister at the United Nations with an unusually direct question. Did he feel “like a bit of a fraud” accepting such an honour while confronting serious political difficulties at home?

Albanese’s response consisted of one word.

The exchange was brutal, but while many of us applauded her, it exposed the far more interesting question surrounding this award. What exactly does the international establishment now regard as a model “global citizen”?

First, an important distinction. The award is not being given by the United Nations. It comes from the Atlantic Council and will be presented on September 23 during UN General Assembly week. The Council says Albanese is being recognised for strengthening Australia’s alliances and partnerships and promoting security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Albanese is in New York not merely to collect an award. His Government is launching Australia’s campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2029–30.

And therein lies the more important question.

What exactly does Australia propose to contribute?

The Government says Australia will uphold international law and sovereignty, prevent conflict, protect civilians, amplify small and middle powers and make the United Nations more effective and representative.

Fine words. But where is the distinctly Australian idea?

What policy will Australia advance that is not already part of the existing orthodoxy? When will Canberra challenge the UN rather than seek its approval? When international consensus becomes questionable, will Australia exercise independent judgment or become another reliable vote for the prevailing narrative?

Nowhere is that question more pertinent than Israel.

The United Nations has 193 member states. Within it sits the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), a 57-member organisation whose members........

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