Foreign Minister Marise Payne defends Australia's climate change policies. (ABC News)
Key points:
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"I think that they should be pleased that Australia is meeting our Paris commitments, that is something we are absolutely locked in to doing," Senator Payne said.
Climate change and the ADF |
"We are very serious and meeting our Paris commitments is the best symbol of that, in my view."
The Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting in Suva comes at a time of renewed focus on the Pacific.
The region is emerging as a battleground for influence in global politics, with Australia trying to maintain its pre-eminence as an economic and strategic partner against China's growing assertiveness.
"Well I think one of the things I think we can say, is that we live here, this is our region," Senator Payne told the ABC.
"These countries are our Pacific family and that is a very important starting point."
China has stepped up its diplomatic efforts in the region, providing more development assistance, economic loans and private sector investment.
An island's race against time |
But Senator Payne said the changing power dynamic isn't cause for concern.
"Our relationship with Indonesia has changed significantly in the last 10, 20 years, so I don't think relationships such as this are immutable," she said.
"The important thing for governments is to work with the changes, work with those developments.
"I think it's a busy space and I don't think that's a bad thing. The growth in partnerships in the region is a good thing.
"We welcome all-comers, if you like, as long as they're contributing to the things that are important to the region — to security, to stability and to prosperity."
Foreign Minister Marise Payne says Australia is "very serious" about meeting the UN's climate change agreement. (ABC News: Luke Stephenson) |
Links
- UN secretary-general meets Pacific leaders to discuss 'global catastrophe' of climate change
- Tuvalu Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga says Australia's climate change inaction undermines its 'Pacific pivot'
- Australia on track to meet Paris Agreement targets five years earlier than expected, research finds
- Climate change-related disaster relief is increasing demand on Defence Department, Senate hears
- Lost at sea: the race against time to save the Carteret Islands from climate change
- Australia ramps up rivalry with China for influence in the Pacific
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