Editorial: Albo is putting the air miles to good use

The Prime Minister has copped flak for his overseas travel, but there is no substitute for face-to-face relationships, writes the editor.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

In an increasingly chaotic and dangerous world, the fate of nations can sometimes rely on the personal relationships between leaders.

Former US president Ronald Reagan and USSR leader Mikhail Gorbachev ended the Cold War, in part because they liked and trusted each other – an affection that developed in face-to-face meetings.

Personal contact, especially informal contact, is a vital part of diplomacy. We saw it play out again this week at the inaugural mass for Pope Leo XIV in Rome.

While kings, queens, presidents and prime ministers may have attended to wish the new pontiff well, behind the scenes there was a different agenda.

The inaugural mass saw leaders from around the world come together, crucially on neutral territory where any angry words or obvious snubs would be frowned upon, but relationships could be built, solutions suggested and phone numbers exchanged.

While no peace treaties or trade agreements were signed in St Peter’s Square, the relationships these events help to forge are vital. As well as the relationships these events help to mend.

Who could forget the shocking Oval Office meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, US President Donald Trump and his Vice-President J.D. Vance in February.

After that humiliation, it was difficult to see a way Mr Zelensky could ever repair the relationship with the US. But there they were in St Peter’s Square, with Mr Vance greeting Mr Zelensky with a friendly handshake.

Perhaps more importantly, Mr Vance could see the genuine affection other world leaders hold for the Ukrainian President.

Mr Vance later sat down with Mr Zelensky in a meeting that the White House, in classic understatement, said went “better” than the February encounter.

At least they are talking again.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also took advantage of the opportunity to talk to world leaders, meeting with Mr Zelensky and again raising the possibility of Australian peacekeepers in Ukraine. Of course for that to happen, there first needs to be peace, and with Russian despot Vladimir Putin skipping peace talks last week, that looks as far away as ever.

Mr Albanese has copped some flak for his overseas travel, earning the nickname Airmiles Albo, much like his predecessor Kevin Rudd was known as Kevin 747. Some of the criticism may be valid, but most is not. The fact remains that there is no substitute for face-to-face relationships, either in business or in politics. Mr Albanese has built his political brand in Australia on his engaging personality and there’s no reason he should not use it beyond these shores.

But that includes engaging with those who might not be his ideological allies.

During the last televised debate in the federal election campaign, Mr Albanese was asked if he had Mr Trump’s phone number. He replied that he hadn’t, adding that he wasn’t sure if the President even carried a phone, which is of course nonsense when you consider his late-night social media posts.

We hope Mr Albanese took the opportunity to reach out to Mr Vance, and maybe even exchange numbers. In this uncertain world, it sure might come in handy.

THANKS AND GOODBYE MR BACH

Queensland owes Thomas Bach a sincere debt of gratitude, as he was the president of the International Olympic Committee that granted us the Games of the 35th Olympiad.

Brisbane and Queensland will benefit for generations from the legacy of this decision, which just would not have happened without Mr Bach’s belief in us to pull it off.

He explained yesterday why he never wavered, during an exclusive interview with The Courier-Mail on what will be his last trip here while president – saying he was convinced during another visit in 2019.

“We had a final dinner here in Queensland … and there, during this dinner, the idea was brought up.

And I must say, I was excited because I could foresee before, in the days before, the potential that the region has – and I knew at least since (Sydney) 2000 … how passionate the Aussies are about sport and that they could create, once again, such a unique Olympic atmosphere and spirit. And so from there on, we took it further.”

Well, we thank you Mr Bach – and we look forward to welcoming you back at the opening ceremony in just seven years and two months. And what will he be looking for?

“You’re always looking …to see the world united, and to see the athletes from all 206 national Olympic Committees entering the stadium showing this kind of friendship …with each other – and sending a message of peace and understanding to the entire world.”

Touche. It is sometimes easy to forget this in all the political games.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here

Originally published as Editorial: Albo is putting the air miles to good use