Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

When it comes to climate action, the nations of the Pacific have led the way for a long time. I remember as climate minister being struck by the power and sincerity of the voice of Pacific island nations on climate change, well ahead of where the domestic debate was in Australia. They have called on us to act, we have heard them and we have responded. We are honoured that all Pacific Islands Forum governments have supported Australia's bid to co-host with the Pacific COP31. How we deal with the climate crisis now is central to the future we leave young people and future generations.

I want to acknowledge and welcome the impressive group of Pacific scholars and researchers joining us here today. I pay tribute to the work you're doing to chart a course for your own futures and the future of our shared region. Young leaders from Fiji, Samoa, Aotearoa New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, Tonga, Solomon Islands and New Caledonia have been participating in a colloquium through ANU, and we welcome you here today. (Time expired)