Peter Khalil (Wills, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for International Development and the Pacific. How is the Albanese Labor government changing Australia's approach to engagement with Pacific nations on climate change, and what previous approaches are being changed?

Pat Conroy (Shortland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence Industry) Share this | Link to 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.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister will resume his seat. I will hear from the Manager of Opposition Business.

Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister's answer offends against several provisions of the standing orders. In particular, on relevance, you have previously directed a minister back to the question when he has strayed and gone into the record of the previous government.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The manager will resume his seat. I will hear from the Leader of the House.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

To the point of order: in terms of the way the minister is answering this question, he's being quite specific about what the government's doing and not doing. Every part of it has been framed in terms of decisions being taken by the government and that he has taken as minister.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question involved what is being changed. I'm going to ask the minister to make sure he is comparing in contrast to those changes, to be relevant.

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

In contrast to the last government, which blocked climate action—which led to Fiji Prime Minister Bainimarama saying that the former Prime Minister's actions were insulting, were condescending and would drive the Pacific to countries other than Australia—the new government is supporting action on climate change and supporting the Pacific. The opposition like to claim they're strong on national security, but being weak on climate and being weak on the Pacific means they are weak on national security. Unfortunately, the opposition leader's attacks on climate action—his dog-whistling on COP, in particular on damage and loss, demonstrates the opposition leader doesn't understand national security, isn't fit to lead his party and is definitely not fit to lead this nation.