Roundup: Australia seeks return to UN Security Council as FM Bishop comes under fire

Australia will make a renewed bid to be restored as a sitting nation on the United Nations Security Council in 2029-30.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop announced on Wednesday that the Australian government, led by new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull would seek a seat in order to make a difference in "maintaining international peace and security."

Australia's previous two-year term with the council ended in December last year.

Bishop, who is in New York, said Australia had "served with distinction throughout our last two-year term" and believed the time frame gave the nation the best chance of securing a position.

"If elected, Australia will use our term to support Australia's core national security interests, while enhancing our international influence by making a practical constructive contribution across the Security Council's agenda," Bishop told Australian media on Wednesday.

Bishop listed Australia's response to the downing of MH17 and measures introduced to reduce the influence of Islamic State (IS) among Australia's biggest achievements in its two-year stint.

It marks a break from the government's previously frosty relationship with the council under former PM Tony Abbott.

In 2012, the former Labor government was heavily criticized by Abbott in his time as opposition leader because of the costs associated with its Security Council involvement.

Abbott accused former PM Julia Gillard was "swanning around in New York talking to Africans" instead of dealing with Australia's more pressing domestic issues.

"All other things being equal, yes, better we are on the Security Council than off it," Abbott said in 2012. "But it was never worth the 40 million-plus (Australian dollars) that this government has spent just to win a bronze medal at the United Nations."

Bishop came under fire on Wednesday for inviting her boyfriend David Panton to be seated with her on the floor of the UN Assembly in New York.

The opposition's parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs, Matt Thistlethwaite, said the decision was an error of judgment on Bishop's behalf.

"It's up to the foreign minister to explain if this is appropriate. If there's a legitimate reason for this, then it needs to be clarified," Thistlethwaite said.

"This is an important week at the UN and it's critical the government treats it with the seriousness it deserves."

A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry said it was common practice for Bishop to regularly allow "friends" to take the accompanying seat beside her.

According to UN protocol, "personal guests" must be listed by the head of the delegation.

Back in 2012, Bishop attacked former Labor FM Bob Carr for his decision to invite his wife to sit with him in the public gallery.

"It is not common practice for a foreign minister or a secretary of state to travel with a spouse for the business part of a visit," Bishop said in 2012.

Panton is not a part of the Bishop's official traveling delegation and paid for his own flights to the United States, according to the spokesperson. Endi