Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Water) Share this | Hansard source

It is unfortunate that Senator Milne does not seem to consider the enormous work and priority that the government has given to engagement with the Pacific Island nations on the issue of climate change. You may recall that the Prime Minister in his press conference in fact invited representatives, certainly from Kiribati and, from recollection, Vanuatu, to talk to the issue of climate change. Australia, as host, made climate change a significant priority in the discussion, as it should have. This is an issue which is important for Australia, because we are one of the most vulnerable developed nations. Equally, it is very important to many of our Pacific Island neighbours, many of whom, as the good senator knows, are already experiencing the impacts of climate change.

The PIF declaration was a leaders’ declaration. My recollection is that it was finalised at the leaders’ retreat. I might be wrong on the detail of that, but that is my recollection. Certainly Australia participated in that discussion and sought an outcome that could get agreement across all of the nations represented. We want to continue to add momentum.