Aust to address climate change

By KELVIN JOE
THE Australian government will work closely with Pacific nations to address climate change and improve regional security and economic development, an official says.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the newly formed Government would listen to its Pacific neighbours, share challenges and promote collective regional priorities and goals.
“The triple challenges of climate change, Coronavirus (Covid-19) and strategic contests will challenge us in new ways, we understand that the security of any one Pacific family member rests on security for all,” she said.
Wong said this during the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat forum in Fiji on Thursday.
She said the government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would be committed to work with, listen to and address the challenges together.
She said Australia would reinstate an ambassador for climate change to help climate action in the Pacific.
“Under past governments, Australia has neglected its responsibility to act on climate change, ignoring the calls of our Pacific family to act,” she said.
“We are a partner that won’t come with strings attached, nor impose unsustainable financial burdens, we won’t erode Pacific priorities or institutions but we believe in transparency,” she said.
She said Australia would stand shoulder to shoulder with Pacific nations to respond to this crisis.
Meanwhile, Wong pledged to treat fairly and improve the work conditions of Pacific Island workers and allow them to bring their family members with them.
She said the Australian government will improve the development assistance to the Pacific by AUS$525 million (about K1.84 billion) over the next four years while reducing carbon emissions to zero by 2050 and increased renewable energy up to 80 per cent in 2030.