In partnership with the Melbourne School of Government.

It is argued by critics of the United Nations that the Security Council is ineffective and that foreign policy should be pursued through bilateral relations alone.  Mr Gary Quinlan will discuss the significance of the Security Council, the impediments to its work, the constraints on the activities of elected members, the extent of Australia’s influence during 2013 and 2014, and what Australia’s representatives were able to achieve.

Gary Quinlan was Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations during Australia’s campaign for election to the Security Council and while Australia was an elected member in 2013 and 2014.  He was Senior Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, late-2007-2009, and has served in senior positions in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade covering East and North Asia, and the Americas and Europe. He was a lead negotiator for Australia in the 1980s on law of the sea and Antarctic issues. His overseas assignments have included Deputy at the Australian embassy Washington, 2005-07; Ambassador (High Commissioner) Singapore, 2001-05; First Secretary Australian Mission to the United Nations New York, 1981-85; Deputy Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Paris, 1979-81.