Anthony Albanese to make maiden UN speech on social media ban with Aussie mum who lost her teen to suicide
Anthony Albanese will sell our groundbreaking social media age ban to the world alongside Australian mum Emma Mason who lost her teen daughter to suicide.
Anthony Albanese will sell Australia’s groundbreaking social media age restrictions to the world when he meets with global leaders during an 11-day trip to the United States, United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates.
The Prime Minister will also finally come face-to-face with Donald Trump – but only at a widely-attended welcome function alongside other world leaders in town for the United Nations General Assembly.
In an extraordinary snub, the US President still has not agreed to meet one-on-one with Mr Albanese for a formal bilateral meeting just hours before he is due to land in the United States.
Earlier this week, Mr Trump acknowledged Australia’s desire to sure up the alliance, saying “they want to get along with me” while threatening a veteran ABC reporter who asked about his business dealings.
Despite ongoing attempts from Australian diplomats including Ambassador Kevin Rudd and a last-minute visit from Deputy Richard Marles, there are no plans for the two to meet about a growing list of issues including the under-review AUKUS deal, defence spending friction, and tariffs.
In New York, Mr Albanese will make his maiden speech to the United Nations General Assembly and host leaders from around the world to discuss Australia’s ground breaking laws increasing the age of access to social media from 13 to 16.
Sparked by News Corp Australia’s Let Them Be Kids campaign, the age restriction which comes into effect in December is being closely watched by governments overseas planning to follow suit.
The European Union has already expressed an intention to replicate Australia’s laws.
The Prime Minister will be joined in New York Australian mum Emma Mason whose daughter Matilda ‘Tilly’ Rosewarne died after being relentlessly bullied on social media.
She will implore world leaders to follow Australia’s example to protect other children from similar tragedies.
“This is the beginning of the fight – it’s not the end of the fight, it’s not even halfway through,” she said.
The PM is also due to speak at a UN conference formally recognising a Palestinian state.
“I will be promoting investment in Australia in line with our Future Made in Australia agenda, highlighting world leading steps Australia is taking to keep children safe online and delivering Australia’s new climate target to the United Nations in line with our Paris Agreement obligations,” Mr Albanese said.
“This will be an opportunity to meet with some of Australia’s major international partners to discuss trade and economic opportunities that help to create jobs and growth at home.”
Mr Albanese will then travel to the United Kingdom for meetings with leaders including Sir Keir Starmer.
He will stop in the United Arab Emirates on the return journey to meet with President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss free trade and economic partnerships.
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Originally published as Anthony Albanese to make maiden UN speech on social media ban with Aussie mum who lost her teen to suicide
