Pat Conroy (Shortland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence Industry) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Wills for his question and his ongoing commitment to fighting climate change and his deep commitment to national security.

Nothing is more central to the security and wellbeing of the Pacific than taking action on climate change, because the Pacific is bearing the brunt of climate change. In Australia we've seen bushfires, droughts and the current massive floods. In the Pacific island countries we're seeing inundation, water contamination and threats to food security. That's why the 2018 Boe Declaration said climate change remains the single greatest threat to the livelihood, security and wellbeing of the peoples of the Pacific. For example, Kiribati's main island, Tarawa, will lose 50 per cent of its landmass by 2100 under current projections.

At COP27, Australia's response was really well received. I met with 10 Pacific leaders and ministers, including the prime ministers of the Cook Islands and Tonga, and the President of Palau. The Secretary-General of the PIF said:

Australia is taking a new refreshed approach to its relationship with the Pacific, and it's reinforcing that, not just with words, but also with some real solid action.

We're working with the Pacific to deliver outcomes that reflect Pacific interest. We supported Pacific climate negotiators to be there and to progress a bid for COP in the Pacific. After a decade of inaction, Australia is taking action at home and abroad. We're supporting the Pacific climate facility. We're providing $900 million worth of extra ODA to the Pacific with a real focus on climate change.

I was also asked how the approach has changed from the last government. The Albanese government has delivered more in six months than the last government did in 10 years. For example, we're not making jokes about climate change destroying Pacific island countries; we're taking this existential threat seriously. We're not blowing up regional security and unity like the member for Cook did by blocking action on climate change at the 2019 PIF.

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