Morrison forced to step up Pacific charm offensive

Tuvalu Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga said the
needs of people had to be put above politics.

Tuvalu: Scott Morrison will be forced to step up his Pacific charm offensive in Tuvalu on Wednesday after eight island nations declared his $500 million climate package was worthless unless Australia fast-tracked its transition to renewable energy and banned new coal mines.

The Prime Minister's attempts to salvage his government's regional Step Up program was met with cynicism ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum, with Australia warned it must back up its foreign aid pledge with more action at home to cut carbon emissions.

Read the story from The Age by Rob Harris - “Morrison forced to step up Pacific charm offensive.”

Adani plans to protect desert springs are worthless, water experts say

Adani plans to protect desert springs are worthless, water experts say.

The Doongmabulla Springs have the country's highest
level of legal protection, listed as "endangered
ecological communities".

The Australian Conservation Foundation, which has campaigned against the controversial project, gathered and commissioned the reviews by environmental law and water experts.

They looked at Adani's draft plans to protect the Doongmabulla Springs and Mellaluka Springs from the impacts of the proposed Carmichael coal mine.

In response to these criticisms, Adani told the ABC its draft management plan was "targeted and specific", and part of a "robust, multi-layered approach" to monitoring the impacts of its mine.

Read the story by Michael Slezak from ABC News - “Adani plans to protect desert springs are worthless, water experts say.”