The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, through the Foreign Affairs and Aid Subcommittee (the Committee), has commenced an inquiry into Australia’s response to the priorities of Pacific Island countries and the Pacific region. Click here to download our submission to this inquiry. The Committee is scheduled to report back on the inquiry on 29 November 2024.

Submission Overview
Our submission to this inquiry is clear: if Australia wants to respond appropriately to the needs and priorities of Pacific Island nations and their peoples, our government must treat the climate crisis seriously and “walk the talk”:

• Transition rapidly out of Australia’s dependence and economic interests in the fossil fuel economy 
  • no more subsidies for fossil fuels projects
  • a clear timeframe for ending fossil fuel exports
  • no new coal and gas projects
  • fast tracking transition to 100% renewable energy
• Establish adequate and effective climate finance for mitigation and adaptation, including just compensation for loss and damage incurred by Pacific Island nations as a result of climate impacts; and
• Establish a respectful, dignified, streamlined and flexible visa scheme enabling Pacific Islanders to travel to and from Australia as needed with lower transaction costs.