Tony Abbott ‘seeks advice’ after US snubs Putin with WHO boycott

THE Abbott government is “seeking advice” on whether it should be represented at a meeting in Moscow next week.

THE Abbott government, due to play host to Russian President Vladimir Putin at next month’s G20 summit in Brisbane, is “seeking advice” on whether it should be represented at a World Health Organisation meeting in Moscow next week.

US President Barack Obama has snubbed the Moscow meeting, which is expected to be opened by Mr Putin, because of Russia’s actions in eastern Ukraine over recent months.

As host of the G20 leaders’ summit, to which Mr Putin has been invited, Australia has to decide if the Russian leader will be welcome.

Tony Abbott has previously said Mr Putin’s attendance would be dependent upon him fulfilling his pledge to offer assistance with the recovery of bodies after the shooting down of the Malaysia Airlines jet MH17 over eastern Ukraine on July 17. All 298 people onboard were killed, including 38 Australian citizens and residents.

The final decision will be taken after a “consensus” view of G20 members is established. Many European G20 members are keen for Russia to attend.

The US decision to boycott the WHO conference on political grounds, the first time the US has not attended the meeting on tobacco controls since 2003, puts pressure on Australia to also snub the event.

So far, Australia has committed to sending two officials, based in Geneva, to the week-long Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which will be the sixth meeting on tobacco protocols since 2003.

The office of Health Minister Peter Dutton confirmed to The Weekend Australian yesterday that the federal government was planning to send “a small, two-person, technical-level delegation from Geneva”.

But the Prime Minister’s office said it was “getting further advice on the conference and Australia’s attendance following the US response”.

Speaking at the United Nations in New York two weeks ago, the Prime Minister publicly accused Russia of “bullying” Ukraine and he has left open the question of formally inviting Mr Putin to the G20 leaders’ summit next month.

Australia is under pressure from European and some Asian members of the G20 to ensure Russia is invited to Brisbane.

It is understood that among the advice provide to the government is that it may be in Australia’s national interests to attend the WHO conference next week.