Lisa Singh

Tasmania will have a local representative at this year’s United Nations General Assembly, with Labor Senator Lisa Singh to take up a three month transfer of duty to the UN at its New York headquarters.

The Australian parliament selects one Member each from the government and opposition every year, to join the Australian delegation working at the UN. Senator Singh is understood to be the first Tasmanian woman accorded this honour.

“This is an exciting opportunity to represent Australia on the international stage, and to promote Tasmania while I am there.” 

“I hope to engage with the World Food Program to discuss possible opportunities for Tasmanian farmers, as a means of improving nutrition and providing food security in our region.” 

“I look forward to reporting back to Tasmania on a regular basis. If there any issues that Tasmanians would like me to consider while working in the UN, I am very interested in hearing their ideas.”

“I’m interested in learning more about the ways member countries, including Australia, are achieving their Sustainable Development Goals.”

“The world is currently facing the largest ever number of displaced people, and all nations need to play their part. I’ll be examining the refugee policy responses of other nations, and I want to meet UNHCR officials to consider alternatives to Australian’s detention policy.” 

“I also want to talk to UNICEF about issues of childhood development and girl’s education in the Asia-Pacific region.”

Senator Singh has a longstanding interest in refugee issues, women’s empowerment, human rights, and aid and development. She is a member and former President of the UN Association of Australia (Tasmanian branch), has a Masters of International Relations from Macquarie University, and has been awarded one of India’s highest civilian honours for her work fostering closer ties between Australia and India. 

The Senator has also been an active member of the joint parliamentary committee for Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, and recently participated in a federal parliamentary inquiry into Australia’s advocacy against the death penalty. 

Background on the parliamentary delegation process:

Australia sends two parliamentary delegates to the UN General Assembly for three months each year. It’s an important delegation that links the work of the UN to that of the Australian parliament. This delegation has been in operation now for around 50 years.

The delegates are fully included as members of the Australian Mission to the UN, and participate in the work of UN committees, the General Assembly itself, briefings, conferences, and official calls with the Australian Ambassador.

Last year’s delegates were Labor MP Wayne Swan, and Liberal Senator for Queensland Barry O’Sullivan.

Lisa Singh is understood to be the first Tasmanian woman to be chosen as a parliamentary delegate to the UN.

Released 8 September 2016