Payne heads to Pacific meeting with a nod to neighbours' climate fears

New Foreign Minister Marise Payne has acknowledged she will carry the baggage of “an extremely difficult week” over Australia’s approach to climate change when she faces Pacific island leaders worried about the threat to their countries posed by rising sea levels.

New Foreign Minister Marise Payne.

Senator Payne will head to Nauru on Monday for her first overseas meeting, the Pacific Islands Forum, at which she expects to finalise a major regional security agreement but is also likely to face questions from leaders in the neighbourhood about Australia’s commitment to climate action after the chaotic leadership change 10 days ago.

Canberra is looking to deepen its ties with Pacific nations amid concern about China’s strategic ambitions in what Australia has traditionally considered its backyard, with government ministers repeatedly saying Australia wants to be the “partner of choice” to smaller neighbours.

With some Pacific leaders voicing their concern about Australia’s commitment to climate action, Senator Payne acknowledged this was a key issue for low-lying island countries but stressed Australia’s history of practical action ought to assuage their worries.

Read the story from The Age by David Wroe - “Payne heads to Pacific meeting with a nod to neighbours' climate fears.”