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

I'm interested in the implication about our motivation in that, because we are motivated, genuinely—

We had a long discussion yesterday about motivations. Senator McKim demanded something be withdrawn. I notice you did put it on social media afterwards anyway, but that's okay. But I would say to Senator Faruqi: the implication that we're not genuine in our engagement with our Pacific neighbours is wrong. We are. That does not mean there is not a lot that we have to work through, and I have been upfront with them. I have said: 'We are a highly emissions-intensive economy. We are seeking to shift the trajectory—the direction in which we're heading—and we are doing so belatedly. It will cost us more and it will be harder because of nine years of inaction. But we are serious about doing it.' So, please, if there was an implication, and perhaps I misheard, that somehow we are not genuine in how we engage with the Pacific—because we understand the nature of the threat—it is incorrect. (Time expired)