"This is a different Australian Government": Australian Foreign Minister

Australia's new Foreign Minister Penny Wong has told the Pacific that they will end the climate wars in Australia.

In her address to the Pacific Islands Forum (P.I.F.) in Fiji on Thursday, she said that the Australian Government will work together with the Pacific.

"We will listen," she said.

"We will hear you – your ideas for how we can face our shared challenges and achieve our shared aspirations together.

"As Australia’s first ever Climate Minister, I know the imperative that we all share to take serious action to reduce emissions and transform our economies.

"Nothing is more central to the security and economies of the Pacific. I understand that climate change is not an abstract threat, but an existential one.

"It’s right there in the Pacific Island Forum’s Boe Declaration on Regional Security from 2018, and it’s worth repeating those words now: 'We reaffirm that climate change remains the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of the peoples of the Pacific.'

"You’ve been saying this for a long time. Pacific leaders were saying this to me when I was Climate Minister over a decade ago."

She explained that the Pacific has been crystal clear and consistent, and has led the global debate.

"I understand that – under past governments – Australia has neglected its responsibility to act on climate change," she said.

"Ignoring the calls of our Pacific family to act. Disrespecting Pacific nations in their struggle to adapt to what is an existential threat.

"Whether it manifests in rising sea levels in Pacific Island countries, or in disastrous bushfires and catastrophic flooding back at home in Australia, we can see that climate change is happening across the Pacific family.

"I want to assure you that we have heard you.

She stated that there is a huge groundswell of support for taking real action on the climate crisis in Australia and that the new Government is firmly committed to making it happen.

"The Albanese Government was elected on a platform of reducing carbon emissions by 43 per cent by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050," she said.

"We won’t just say this – we will enshrine it in law and submit a new Nationally Determined Contribution to the UNFCCC very soon.

"We are committed to transitioning to a low carbon economy, moving to cleaner, cheaper energy.

"Our plan will see the proportion of renewables in Australia’s National Energy Market increase to 82 per cent by 2030.

"It’s a plan to boost renewable energy, create jobs and reduce emissions. We will end the climate wars in Australia.

"This is a different Australian Government. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with our Pacific family in response to this crisis."

She said that the counrty will reinstate the role of Australia’s Ambassador for Climate Change, and have proposed a bid to co-host a future UN Conference of the Parties with Pacific Island countries.