Setting the record straight on Australia's UN bid

A key example often cited is the bloating of Australia's aid budget and its increased focus outside of our own backyard. But what these critics forget is that Australia's decision to double our aid budget pre-dates the campaign and an inevitable spread in recipients is inevitable as the size of this assistance increases.

Some naysayers have also suggested a seat on the Security Council will compromise important bilateral relations with the United States, China and Indonesia.

But in reality, Australia will find itself sitting next to and working with both Washington and Beijing for the next two years. Many observers highlight for instance, that Oval Office access also becomes much easier as a temporary member of the Security Council. The Singaporean Prime Minister also said last week that Australia's election would be good for the region, and you would expect to see Australia consulting with powers such as Indonesia if it gets the opportunity to serve.

Ultimately, Australia's campaign for the Security Council has been wholly in line with our national interests. If elected, it will twenty-six years since we were last on the highest body for international peace and security in the world. Our troops serve under UN mandates in East Timor and Afghanistan, we are obligated to uphold its sanctions regimes on countries like Burma and Iran, and it deals with important regional security issues such as on North Korea. As the 10th largest financial donor to the UN, Australia should also have a role in how that money is spent.

And you can expect Australia to be big contributors if given the chance.

As a middle power globally and an important regional player, we will also bring a lot to the table in our own right, including as the 13th largest economy in the world, the 6th largest by landmass, the 3rd largest maritime zone, and as a proud contributor of more than 65,000 peacekeepers to different UN operations.

To win, Australia will require two-thirds of the General Assembly to support its bid in a secret and often unpredictable ballot, or 129 countries to be precise.

But the truth is we can and should win the second seat after Finland.