2023-11-07
Greens Leader Adam Bandt has backed calls by current and former Pacific leaders for Australia to end support for more coal and gas ahead of Prime Minister Albanese joining the Pacific Island Forum meeting in the Cook Islands today.
Mr Bandt said he would support Pacific Island Leaders not letting the Labor government off the hook by refusing to back Australia’s bid to host the global climate summit in 2026 while Labor keeps backing more coal and gas.
Mr Bandt has previously written to Pacific leaders supporting them to push for stronger action on the climate crisis by Australia.
Quotes attributable to Greens Leader Adam Bandt:
“Anthony Albanese risks becoming a Pacific pariah like Scott Morrison if he keeps backing more coal and gas.
“We back the calls from the Pacific for Labor to stop subsidising coal and gas and to end its vast coal and gas expansion plans. Labor should support the Port Vila call for a just transition to a fossil fuel free Pacific.
“Leaders, former leaders and people across the Pacific are making clear that Labor shouldn’t host the global climate summit until it stops pushing for more coal and gas.
“Providing more money to the Pacific is needed, but it won’t be enough if Labor keeps subsidising and expanding coal and gas.
“The Pacific nations are on the frontline of the climate crisis, and they will be overwhelmed by storms, floods, and rapid collapse of access to food and water. Hundreds of thousands of Pacific people will die or be displaced by climate events, which will rapidly escalate into a humanitarian and refugee crisis. We cannot afford more coal and gas and no amount of money to the Pacific will repair the damage of Australia’s Labor government green-lighting projects like Beetaloo, Narrabri or the Burrup Hub.”
Background
Vanuatu Climate Minister, Ralph Regenvanu opinion piece