Australia’s relationship with its regional neighbours could be in doubt under a Coalition government after two Pacific leaders challenged Opposition Leader Peter Dutton over his weak climate stance.
This week, Palau’s president Surangel Whipps Jr suggested a , in which he joked about rising seas lapping at the door of Pacific islanders, had not been forgotten. Speaking at a clean energy conference in Sydney, Whipps “not a metaphor or a punchline. It’s our fear and reality.”
And Tuvalu’s Climate Change Minister, Maina Talia, Dutton for suggesting a joint Australia–Pacific bid to host global climate talks next year was “madness”. Talia said Dutton’s comments caused Pacific leaders to “question the nature of our friendship” with Australia.
Both Labor and Coalition governments have to cement Australia as a security partner of choice for Pacific nations, as China . Australia’s next government must continue this work by signalling an unwavering commitment to strong climate action.
What are the major parties offering on climate policy?
Worsening climate change – with associated – is the to Pacific island nations.
Pacific leaders have long criticised Australia for its climate policy shortcomings, including its . As Palau’s president Whipps :
We are urging Australia – and whoever forms the next government – to take the next steps and stop approving new fossil fuel projects and accelerate the phase-out of coal and gas.
The Labor government has not agreed to the phase-out. But it has sought to improve Pacific ties through more ambitious climate action.
In 2022, it – a 43% cut this decade, based on 2005 levels. The same year, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined Pacific leaders to .
In 2023, Australia signed a climate migration deal with Tuvalu. It also .
A Coalition government would . It would also , and slow the shift to renewables while building seven nuclear reactors. Dutton is also considering , the safeguard mechanism, which aims to reduce industry emissions.
And last month, the Coalition would ditch the Australia–Pacific bid to host the next United Nations climate summit, known as COP31.
How will this go down in the Pacific?
Australia has dramatically stepped up engagement with Pacific island countries in recent years. This has been guided by the of integrating Pacific countries into Australia’s economy and security institutions.
But Pacific island leaders also expect Australia – the largest member of the Pacific Islands Forum – to seriously tackle the climate crisis. Should Australia fail on this measure, securing our place in the region during a time of growing strategic competition will become increasingly difficult.
Pacific leaders welcomed Australia’s plans to host the COP31 climate talks and agreed to on the joint bid. If Dutton wins power and abandons the COP31 push, he could face a frosty reception when he meets with Pacific island leaders.
Palau, in particular, could embarrass Dutton on the global stage. It will host the Pacific Islands Forum meeting next year, weeks before the COP31 talks. This year, of the Alliance of Small Island States, an important negotiating bloc in global climate talks.
Countering China’s influence
Australia’s leadership in the Pacific is considered key to our national defence and security. But China’s growing power in the Pacific has .
In 2022, for example, to allow naval vessels to be based there – effectively allowing a Chinese military base on Australia’s doorstep. As recently as February this year, the to enhance cooperation.
At the same time, the Trump administration has . This leaves Australia with even more work to counter China’s creep into the region.
In last month’s federal budget, Labor to counteract Trump’s cuts. However, Liberal backbenchers reportedly and warn a reduction in Pacific aid would strengthen Beijing’s hand.
Climate policy is key to Australia-Pacific goodwill
Australia’s past failures on climate policy have hurt our standing in the Pacific – .
A Coalition government is likely to continue some diplomatic measures initiated by the Albanese government, such as security agreements with and , and negotiating a .
But the depth of feeling among Pacific leaders on climate action cannot be overstated. As global geopolitical tensions sharpen, Australia’s next moves on climate policy will be vital to the future of our Pacific relationship.
, Research Associate, Institute for Climate Risk and Response,
This article is republished from under a Creative Commons license. Read the .
