Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong has taken aim at the Coalition’s dumping of net zero, saying it would jeopardise Australia’s standing in the Pacific region.
“The Pacific’s view of the Coalition’s approach to climate policy is well documented, and it has become emblematic of the Coalition’s disrespect for the Pacific,” Wong told ABC’s Insiders. “That was the case under Tony Abbott, that was the case under Scott Morrison, and regrettably, it is the case under Sussan Ley.”
Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
“The Pacific regard climate change as their number one issue. So when parties, ostensibly of government in our country, do this, or make jokes about water lapping at the door, or demonstrate to them that they simply are not prepared to act, what the Pacific take from that is disrespect.”
Wong said Australia’s prosperity and security was tied to the Pacific region, and neglecting those relationships threatened that stability.
“This just demonstrates again that the Coalition not only would impose higher costs on Australians, but impose a cost on Australia in our region,” she said.
Wong pointed to Australia’s COP bid for next year, made in partnership with the country’s Pacific neighbours.
“This is the primary reason why we sought the COP, to bring the world’s attention to what is happening for our Pacific Island family,” she said.
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