Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for her question. It goes to a couple of issues; it goes to energy and it also goes to the role that Minister Bowen will have in the COP negotiations. I don't know if those opposite have participated very much in international forums, but, if they had—it's a bit like other things. The crunch points of negotiations come at the end; they come when the conference is on. That's what happens.

But in the lead-up to that there will be a meeting in the Pacific about climate change. You know why? Because it's the priority. It's the first priority, the second priority and the third priority because, without action on climate change, countries like Kiribati and Tuvalu will disappear underwater. Those opposite thought it was fine to make jokes about water lapping at the doors. That was what they did when they were in government to improve relations with our Pacific island families. That was their response. And every single one of them remembers that. But it indeed should be a source of bipartisan pride when Australians succeed. Just like when we bid for the UN Security Council, those opposite talked it down, opposed the bid just like they opposed people running for positions at the United Nations. We on this side don't do that. We on this side back Australia. Backing Australia is what we do.

Now, I'm asked about power and I'm asked about the difference it will make. There have been some business reactions to the coalition's dumping of net zero, a policy that the Leader of the Opposition supported before a few weeks ago, a policy that was put in place by the Morrison government.

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