Pacific leaders, Australia agree to disagree about action on climate change
BY FOREIGN AFFAIRS REPORTER MELISSA CLARKE IN TUVALUUPDATED FRI AT 1:36PM Australia has stymied efforts by small island states to get Pacific-wide consensus on their declaration for stronger action on climate change. Key points: Australia expressed reservations about emissions reduction, coal use and the Green Climate Fund Scott Morrison said he understood sensitivities in the Pacific region but […]
Fijian PM accused Scott Morrison of being ‘very insulting and condescending’
Fiji’s leader has hit out at his Australian counterpart, questioning their personal relationship following the Pacific Island Forum. Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has launched a scathing attack on Scott Morrison and his deputy prime minister over their attitude towards their Pacific island neighbours. But the Australian prime minister insists his government still has a […]
Pacific Island nations will no longer stand for Australia’s inaction on climate change
The Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Tuvalu this week has ended in open division over climate change. Australia ensured its official communique watered down commitments to respond to climate change, gaining a hollow victory. Traditionally, communiques capture the consensus reached at the meeting. In this case, the division on display between Australia and the Pacific meant the only commitment […]