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| Australia's deputy PM apologises to Pacific for fruit-picking comments 'if any insult was taken' | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Michael McCormack has apologised to Pacific Island nations for his comments that they will survive the climate crisis – in part – “because many of their workers come here to pick our fruit”. | Michael McCormack has apologised to Pacific Island nations for his comments that they will survive the climate crisis – in part – “because many of their workers come here to pick our fruit”. |
| The deputy prime minister offered a qualified apology at a doorstop in Brisbane, six days after the remarks which further soured a bitter experience at the Pacific Islands Forum, where Australia was roundly criticised for watering down a communique on the climate crisis. | The deputy prime minister offered a qualified apology at a doorstop in Brisbane, six days after the remarks which further soured a bitter experience at the Pacific Islands Forum, where Australia was roundly criticised for watering down a communique on the climate crisis. |
| The comments, first reported by Guardian Australia, led Tuvalu to threaten to withdraw from the seasonal worker program and were criticised by Labor as “deeply offensive”. | The comments, first reported by Guardian Australia, led Tuvalu to threaten to withdraw from the seasonal worker program and were criticised by Labor as “deeply offensive”. |
| Tuvalu threatens to exit Australia's seasonal worker program after deputy PM's comments | Tuvalu threatens to exit Australia's seasonal worker program after deputy PM's comments |
| Asked about the offence taken by Pacific Islanders, McCormack told reporters: “Well, look, if any insult was taken, I sincerely apologise.” | Asked about the offence taken by Pacific Islanders, McCormack told reporters: “Well, look, if any insult was taken, I sincerely apologise.” |
| The Nationals leader said Australia “will always be great friends of the Pacific Islands, and certainly we rely on the Pacific Islands”. | The Nationals leader said Australia “will always be great friends of the Pacific Islands, and certainly we rely on the Pacific Islands”. |
| “I come from an electorate where there’s a strong horticultural sector, which couldn’t operate without the labour force that is provided by the Pacific Islands, and we value that, we treasure that, we encourage that and we want it to continue.” | “I come from an electorate where there’s a strong horticultural sector, which couldn’t operate without the labour force that is provided by the Pacific Islands, and we value that, we treasure that, we encourage that and we want it to continue.” |
| On Friday, McCormack had said he “got annoyed” at countries calling on Australia to shut down its resources sector, arguing they would survive because of “large aid assistance from Australia” and because “many of their workers come here and pick our fruit”. | On Friday, McCormack had said he “got annoyed” at countries calling on Australia to shut down its resources sector, arguing they would survive because of “large aid assistance from Australia” and because “many of their workers come here and pick our fruit”. |
| McCormack sought to contextualise his comments by noting he had been “asked about the resources sector, and the Pacific Islands’ view on that” and argued that Australia’s strong resources sector helps it “continue to be able to support the Pacific Islands”. | McCormack sought to contextualise his comments by noting he had been “asked about the resources sector, and the Pacific Islands’ view on that” and argued that Australia’s strong resources sector helps it “continue to be able to support the Pacific Islands”. |
| “When the Pacific Islands are strong, we want to be there to make them even stronger and when they’re hurting we want to make sure that we’re there to support them all the time – as we always have in the past, as we always will in the future.” | “When the Pacific Islands are strong, we want to be there to make them even stronger and when they’re hurting we want to make sure that we’re there to support them all the time – as we always have in the past, as we always will in the future.” |
| The low-lying Pacific islands are on the frontline of the climate crisis, battling rising sea levels and related problems that have forced some residents to move to higher ground. | The low-lying Pacific islands are on the frontline of the climate crisis, battling rising sea levels and related problems that have forced some residents to move to higher ground. |
| Vanuatu will host the next Pacific Islands Forum. We want to know if Australia really wants a seat at the table | Ralph Regenvanu | |
| The Pacific Islands Forum concluded without a solid commitment to limit temperature rises to no more than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, with references to phasing out coal-fired power and coal exports removed, and with references to the “climate change crisis” removed at Australia’s request, in favour of “climate change reality”. | The Pacific Islands Forum concluded without a solid commitment to limit temperature rises to no more than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, with references to phasing out coal-fired power and coal exports removed, and with references to the “climate change crisis” removed at Australia’s request, in favour of “climate change reality”. |
| On the sidelines of the forum, Fiji’s prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, accused Scott Morrison of a “very insulting and condescending” attitude, warning Australia’s approach would push nations closer to China. | On the sidelines of the forum, Fiji’s prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, accused Scott Morrison of a “very insulting and condescending” attitude, warning Australia’s approach would push nations closer to China. |
| Labor has questioned the Morrison government’s commitment to combating climate change, arguing it lacks credibility because it has presided over increasing greenhouse gas emissions. | Labor has questioned the Morrison government’s commitment to combating climate change, arguing it lacks credibility because it has presided over increasing greenhouse gas emissions. |
| It has referred to home affairs minister Peter Dutton’s quip in 2015 about water lapping at the doors of Australia’s Pacific neighbours. Dutton also apologised for those comments. | It has referred to home affairs minister Peter Dutton’s quip in 2015 about water lapping at the doors of Australia’s Pacific neighbours. Dutton also apologised for those comments. |
| Michael McCormack | Michael McCormack |
| Pacific Islands Forum | Pacific Islands Forum |
| Australian politics | Australian politics |
| Climate change | Climate change |
| National party | National party |
| Asia Pacific | Asia Pacific |
| Coalition | Coalition |
| news | news |
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