Fiji confronts Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison over climate change, support for coal industry
- Morrison stressed the importance of the Pacific to Australia at a time China is increasing its presence in the region
- He also reaffirmed commitment to extending trade opportunities in the Pacific, where Australia is viewed as an unwelcome big brother
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s Pacific charm offensive went off course on Friday when he was forced to defend Fiji’s accusations of inaction over climate change.
As Morrison pushed Canberra’s message of a new Pacific focus with increased security and enhanced trade opportunities, he was called out by Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, who turned the spotlight onto climate change.
Bainimarama said if Australia shifted away from its coal and mining industries it would help the survival of Pacific island countries threatened by rising sea levels.
“From where we are sitting, we cannot imagine how the interests of any single industry can be placed above the welfare of Pacific peoples and vulnerable people in the world over,” Bainimarama said in a speech late on Thursday.
“Rising seas threaten whole communities, forcing them to endure the trauma of relocating from land they’ve endured for generations. Fijian farmers are watching their crops perish in soil that has been spoiled by the heightened salinity that is associated with sea level rise.”