Albanese opens US visit focused on AI, Middle East and UNGA
PM starts in California with Apple talks before New York UN meetings
Scopa's Realm· 19 Sept 2026, 3:50 am
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrived in the United States for a week centred on artificial intelligence policy, Middle East tensions affecting fuel prices, and Australia’s pitch around the UN General Assembly.
Albanese landed in California on Saturday morning Australian time ahead of meetings that include Apple executive chairman Tim Cook and discussion of online safety. The government plans to highlight Australia’s under-16 social media restrictions and a proposed digital duty of care as the visit moves to New York for UN General Assembly week. Officials also expect the Middle East crisis and energy-price spillover to feature heavily in bilateral and multilateral talks.