By Matthew Knott

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Fullilove says that, while Australia supports free trade, Trump’s passion for protectionism isn’t going anywhere. Albanese needs to work within that reality. “There’s no point in trying to change Trump’s mind on issues where he has lifelong beliefs,” he says. “For example, he has told us his favourite word in the English dictionary is ‘tariff’.”

6. Pull off Palestinian recognition

Albanese will use the UN meeting to officially recognise Palestinian statehood, joining leaders from France, Canada and Belgium (and possibly more including the UK and Portugal). In the weeks leading up to the decision, Albanese said he wanted recognition to be more than a “gesture” and make a meaningful contribution to advancing a two-state solution. His speech to the UN will be an opportunity for him to explain how recognition of Palestine goes beyond symbolism: for example, what role can Australia play in the post-war reconstruction of Gaza? World leaders, including Albanese, are also likely to join together to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who will attend the UN meeting, to stop the war. So far, their efforts have proved fruitless.

Albanese originally planned to meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in New York, but this looks unlikely unless the Trump administration reverses its controversial decision to deny Abbas a visa.

7. Increase support for Ukraine

To the immense frustration of Ukrainian advocates in Australia, almost a year has gone by since Australia has announced any new military support for Ukraine. Albanese could rectify this in a possible meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the General Assembly. Albanese will also be able to use meetings with fellow world leaders to discuss how Australian can help the “coalition of the willing” peacekeeping effort for when the war ends.

8. Spruik climate credentials and win COP hosting rights

Albanese will travel to New York with a freshly minted climate target for Australia of 62 to 70 per cent by 2035, based on 2005 levels. The prime minister will sell this to fellow leaders as proof that Australia is a world leader on tackling climate change – and that it has earned the right to host the COP31 climate summit next year.

Australia is locked in a diplomatic standoff with Turkey over hosting rights, and if no consensus can be reached, the event will instead be held in Germany. This would be a blow to Australia, given it has invested a lot of diplomatic capital into its bid. Albanese has said he will meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during the UN meeting, where he will try to persuade him to withdraw from the contest in recognition of Australia’s overwhelming support.

9. Promote Australia’s social media restrictions

Albanese is proud Australia is leading the world with its efforts to restrict social media users aged under 16 from having accounts on platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and SnapChat. He believes he is on the right side of history by taking on “big tech” and trying to keep young people away from the dangers of social media including radicalisation and bullying. During the UN General Assembly, Albanese will host an event to explain the policy, which he hopes will be adopted by other countries.

10. Support Ukraine and give Starmer a boost

Albanese’s visit to London should be less high-pressure than his trip to New York. While Starmer has successfully navigated dealing with Trump, he is struggling in the polls and facing increased chatter about leadership. Albanese himself appeared in a dire position at the start of this year, but ended up achieving a resounding victory over Peter Dutton. He will be seeking to offer reassurance, and any tips, to his British Labour counterpart about how to prosper as a centre-left leader in an era when the populist right is on the rise.

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