After the work was over, Anthony Albanese went to the Australian-owned and themed “Old Mates Pub”, in Lower Manhattan, and poured the beers. He felt his week had been mission accomplished.
In international politics, dodging the negatives can be as important as racking up the positives. The prime minister will believe he’s done some of both on his New York visit for United Nations leaders’ week.
Although the government disputes this, it would have been better if he’d secured his first sit-down with Donald Trump in New York (a bit like getting past a necessary visit to the dentist). But it would have been disastrous if he hadn’t nailed down a firm meeting date – which is to be October 20 in Washington.
