Australia’s Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy has defended the cost of hosting the pre-COP climate meeting in Fiji, saying the event is essential to supporting Pacific countries and that most accommodation costs will be recovered from participating foreign delegations.
Speaking on Australia’s Today Show, Conroy rejected criticism over the reported AUD$4.2 million (US$2.93 million) allocated for accommodation at the October meeting.
“This story is a bit of a media beat-up by The Australian to be honest because most of the cost will be recovered from foreign leaders and their delegations coming to those hotels and paying for their rooms. We’ve just reserved them as you do when you organise these conferences,” he said.
Asked why Australia was hosting the meeting, Conroy said climate change remains the Pacific’s biggest concern.
“Climate change is the number one threat to the Pacific.
“If you’re serious about engaging in the Pacific you need to engage on climate change. We expect concrete outcomes from this pre-COP meeting that will shine a light on the Pacific’s experience on climate change,” he told Today Show.
Conroy said Australia’s engagement on climate change was also central to its relationship with Pacific Island countries.
“And those who are opposed to this are opposed to us supporting the Pacific in their struggle against climate change.
“We’re in a permanent state of contest in this region for influence. Other countries like China are trying to become good friends with the Pacific. If we’re not seen to be taking strong action on climate change, we cede ground to those other countries, we see the influence and that makes Australia less safe,” said Conroy.
He said the government had strengthened its Pacific partnerships through agreements with several island countries.
“Let’s not forget only four years ago the Liberal Government oversaw the biggest foreign policy disaster since the Vietnam War with the signing of the China-Solomon Islands security pact.
“We’ve reversed that damage through alliances with PNG and Fiji, treaties with Tuvalu, Nauru, PNG, Fiji, negotiating them with the Solomon Islands and Tonga right now.”
“If we’re not serious about taking action on climate change, if we’re not serious about amplifying the Pacific’s voice, we lose influence in the region and that’s why we’re doing this,” he said.
New South Wales Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane questioned the level of spending, saying Australians facing rising living costs deserved greater transparency.
“Yeah, absolutely. You can talk about climate change all you want, and that is important, especially to our neighbours.
“There is also a cost-of-living crisis, and to say, ‘Nothing to see here’ is pretty hard to cop for people at home who are struggling to pay the bills, struggling to put food on the table. And transparency is also important.
“He’s saying, ‘Oh, they’ll pay it back’. You know, we’ve all heard that before when we’ve organised a trip and you pay upfront and you try to get people’s moneyback. It doesn’t always happen and they’re not being clear about who’s paying and how much will be left to foot the bill,” said Sloanne.
Conroy said the government had been transparent by publishing details of the expenditure but said the final cost to Australia could not yet be confirmed.
“Well, ultimately it will depend on how many foreign leaders come and their delegations and will disclose those figures in the normal course of events when the conference is held,” he said.
