Australia & The Security Council

Australia is vying for a place on the United Nations Security Council.
What is the Security Council, and why do we want a place on it?

The UN Security Council is one of the primary bodies within the UN. It’s primary function is to maintain international peace, security and order. The UN SC maintains powers that allows it to establish peacekeeping operations, international sanctions, and authorise military action.
The UN SC has 15 members, five of those are permanent members (China, France, Russia, UK and US), the other 10 are non-permanent members with a two-year term. The five permanent members have the power to veto decisions.
Australia is applying for a non-permanent membership for the 2013-2014 term. Australia is applying for four posts; New York, Geneva, Vienna and Nairobi. By being a part of the UN SC, Australia will have a say in how international security policy is developed, how international crises are dealt with and if a military intervention is required. It will keep Australia more up-to-date on international affairs and will have a say in developing global strategies.
Currently, the ALP support Australia being a member of the UN SC, however the Coalition does not. This makes Australia the only applicant that does not have support from all its major political parties.