Oz PM promises climate change

‘BIG MOMENT’: CHANGE OF GOVT HERALDS A NEW ERA

Due to be sworn in today before important Quad summit.

Incoming Prime Minister Anthony Albanese yesterday vowed to reset Australia’s relations with the world and sweep aside the country’s reputation as a climate laggard, as he raced to form a government in time for a key Tokyo summit.

Fresh from a victory that ended a decade of continuous conservative rule, Albanese signalled an era of fairer, greener and less pugilistic politics for Australia.

The 59-year-old Labour leader said Saturday’s election was a “big moment” in his life, but insisted he wanted it to be “a big moment for the country”.

“I do want to change the country,” he said as he waited to see whether his Labour party can command a majority in parliament or will need help from climate-minded independents.

Images of smouldering eucalyptus forests, smog-enveloped cities and blanched-out coral reefs have made Australia a byword for climate-fuelled destruction.

Under conservative leadership, the country, one of the world’s largest gas and coal exporters, has also become synonymous with playing the spoiler at international climate talks.

But Albanese put the world on notice it should expect a change.

He and key ministers are expected to be sworn in today, just in time to attend a summit with Japanese, Indian and US leaders – the so-called Quad.

“Obviously, the Quad leaders meeting is an absolute priority for Australia,” Albanese said in his first post-election event. “It enables us to send a message to the world that there is a change of government.

“There will be some changes in policy, particularly with regard to climate change and our engagement with the world on those issues.”

Albanese said he will also use the visit to Tokyo to have one-onone meetings with US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“I will return to Australia on Wednesday, and then we’ll get down to business,” he added.

Foreign leaders welcomed Albanese’s election, most notably Australia’s Pacific Island neighbours, whose very existence is threatened by rising sea levels.

“Of your many promises to support the Pacific, none is more welcome than your plan to put the climate first – our people’s shared future depends on it,” said Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama.