Australia’s new Prime Minister, Scott Morrison has just toured the 100 per cent drought stricken country-side of the most populous state, refusing to recognise any possible connection to climate impacts – all while unprecedented bushfires rage during winter!
Last month, Australian Prime Minister Turnbull was unceremoniously dethroned for trying to rein in coal-fired emissions. Public confidence in the ruling party has been destroyed by an unseemly self-serving revolt by a group of pro-fossil fuel members. The complete absence of a program to meet Australia’s Paris commitments has put the government at odds with the mood of the Australian people. They are on track to lose heavily in the elections that must be held before June next year.
It is understandable that Australia’s Prime Minister avoided going to the Pacific Island Forum due to his lack of a climate policy. Despite this seeming lack of attention to the Pacific, Australia signed on to a Forum communiqué which recognises that “climate change presents the single greatest threat to the livelihood, security and wellbeing of Pacific people.” Now let’s see action.