Centrelink's robodebt scheme a "fiasco": UN

The United Nations has questioned the legality of Australia’s controversial Centrelink robo-debt scheme and the country’s use of cashless welfare cards.

Islanders take Australia to UN court over climate change fears

Torres Strait Islanders are going to the United Nations to accuse the Morrison government of breaching their human rights over its inaction on climate change.

The UN says extreme weather events last year forced two million people to relocate. Photo: supplied

Extreme weather hit 62 million people in 2018: UN

The United Nations’ weather agency says extreme weather last year hit 62 million people worldwide and forced 2 million people to relocate, as man-made climate change worsened.

US pulls out of UN Human Rights Council

The United States is leaving the United Nations’ Human Rights Council, with Ambassador Nikki Haley calling it “an organisation that is not worthy of its name”.

Australia ducks historic UN vote on Jerusalem

Australia abstained from joining more than 100 countries to protest Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, largely ignoring the US president’s threats to cut off aid to any country that went against him.

Turnbull rejected DFAT's advice on Rudd

It’s emerged that Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull dismissed Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advice that said Kevin Rudd was a better candidate for the UN’s chief job than previous incumbents.

Turnbull rejects Rudd for top UN job

Australia won’t be nominating Kevin Rudd for the top job in the United Nations because Malcolm Turnbull believes the former prime minister is not well-suited for the role.