Will Labor govt in Australia put climate change at the forefront?
Australias conservative coalition has been voted out of office after nearly a decade in power. Australia has seen unprecedented bushfires and flooding in recent years. Extreme weather has brought climate change to the top of the agenda for voters. And Greens and climate-focused independents made big gains in Saturdays election, at the expense of the conservative coalition. Australia is a major exporter of fossil fuels, and the outgoing government often objected to plans to reduce greenhouse emissions. Neighbouring Pacific Islands say Australia is blocking climate action, even as their territories are under threat of sinking. Uneasy ties with the island nations are spilling into security, as concerns mount in Australia and the United States about Chinas recent deal with the Solomon Islands. How will Australias new government tackle Chinas growing influence in the Pacific? Presenter : Hashem Ahelbarra Guests : Carlyle Thayer Emeritus professor at the University of New South Wales and director of Thayer Consultancy Anna Skarbek CEO of Climateworks Centre Gregory Melleuish Professor of history and politics at the University of Wollongong