Australia, New Zealand climate inaction may see them asked to leave islands forum

P

Kiribati president, Anote Tong -
 "We cannot be bought on this one
 because it's about the future".

ort Moresby Several small island states could walk out on the Pacific Islands Forum if Australia and New Zealand force them to compromise on a declaration demanding an ambitious target to combat climate change.

The president of Kiribati, Anote Tong, issued the ultimatum on the eve of the summit of 16 Pacific Island leaders on Tuesday, declaring: "We cannot negotiate this, no matter how much aid. We cannot be bought on this one because it's about the future."

Mr Tong raised the prospect of either states walking out or Australia being asked to leave the forum if its two more powerful members forced a compromise on the commitment of island states to the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Read Michael Gordon’s story from today’s Melbourne Age - ‘'We cannot be bought on climate change,' Pacific island leader warns Tony Abbott”.