Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has used an address to the United Nations General Assembly to champion Australia’s bid for the Human Rights’ Council.

Australia wants to join the council for the 2018-2020 term, despite criticism from UN officials over its asylum seeker policy.

In a wide-ranging speech delivered in New York this morning, Mr Turnbull said Australia was already focussed on human rights issues such as gender equality and the rights of Indigenous people.

He also listed governance, freedom of expression, strong national human rights institutions and capacity-building as Australia’s key strengths.

“We are committed to providing principled and pragmatic leadership across these five areas,” he said.

“Both through our actions at home, and our advocacy and cooperation abroad.”

The UN Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein, has previously criticised Australia’s asylum seeker policy, saying it led to a “chain of human rights violations”.

Speaking late last year, Mr Hussein added that the policy of boat turn-backs would result in “possible torture” — allegations rejected by then-immigration minister Scott Morrison.

Turnbull singles out AFL Star

In his address, Mr Turnbull also highlighted the country’s strong border controls, saying it was necessary to facilitate the resettlement of refugees through the humanitarian program.

He praised Australia’s status as an immigrant nation, singling out AFL player and former refugee Aliir Aliir as one of the policy’s success stories.

Aliir Aliir has had a stunning debut season in the AFL. Photo: AAP

“Aliir is one of the first Sudanese immigrants to play AFL and has become a role model in our multicultural nation, especially for young people in Sydney,” Mr Turnbull said.

“There are thousands of migrant stories like Aliir’s — leaders of government, of business, of science, of the arts. Australia would not be the country it is today without their contribution. Their stories are our stories, their successes are our successes.”

Mr Turnbull also spoke on the “threat” of climate change, citing Australia’s commitment to ratify the Paris Agreement.

– ABC