E&OE….
Topics: Green Climate Fund
DAVID KOCH:
Now the Federal Government is on the back foot again after yet another policy backflip, this time on climate change. Previously Prime Minister Tony Abbott has described the Green Climate Fund like this.
(Audio excerpt begins)
TONY ABBOTT:
Socialism masquerading as environmentalism.
DAVID KOCH:
Now the government has changed its tune.
JULIE BISHOP:
Australia would contribute $200 million Australian dollars over four years to the Green Climate Fund.
(Audio excerpt ends)
DAVID KOCH:
Twenty-four countries have committed money to the $10 billion fund, which is aimed at helping poorer nations curb their emissions. Environment Minister Greg Hunt joins me now.
GREG HUNT:
Good morning, Kochie.
DAVID KOCH:
I feel like getting you to reintroduce yourself. I can’t believe how you’ve changed. Has the Coalition had a Christmas vision?
GREG HUNT:
Look, I think this is a tremendous outcome. It’s important I think for the viewers to understand what we are doing is focusing on protecting the great rainforests of Borneo, of Papua New Guinea, of the region. And what has happened here is that Julie Bishop has been able to negotiate a position where instead of a blank cheque which Bill Shorten wanted, where others had complete control and we had no say, that we’re able to…
DAVID KOCH:
No, Greg, don’t bring – don’t bring Bill Shorten into this.
GREG HUNT:
…focus on our region for projects that we want.
DAVID KOCH:
Don’t bring Bill Shorten into this. This is…
GREG HUNT:
But I’m happy to say that they would have given a blank cheque…
DAVID KOCH:
This is you guys. Hang on, this is you guys absolutely slamming it, saying…
GREG HUNT:
…but this is a really positive, constructive thing of a rainforest recovery approach.
DAVID KOCH:
…saying it’s socialism, and now you’ve completely changed your view on it. You’ve just back flipped. Are you a climate change believer? Do you believe…
GREG HUNT:
Yes.
DAVID KOCH:
…human intervention is causing climate change?
GREG HUNT:
Yes.
DAVID KOCH:
Great. That’s terrific. Why aren’t you in Lima? Why are Julie Bishop and Andrew Robb there? You are the Climate Change Minister.
GREG HUNT:
Well, with great respect, from the day the Government was inaugurated, the allocation was we brought together and created a super portfolio for the first time of climate, environment, water and heritage, which is my responsibility.
International negotiations across the board were brought back in a variety of areas into foreign affairs and trade. And so from day one the Foreign Minister has had responsibility, with the foreign affairs portfolio, which brings Andrew Robb in for international negotiations. That’s something that I supported and advocated.
And so the real point here is, what are we doing? Instead of a blank cheque, we have been able, through Julie Bishop’s good work and the Prime Minister’s leadership, to be able to ensure that we are investing in protecting rainforests in Kalimantan, in Sabah, in Sarawak.
DAVID KOCH:
Yeah, there are a lot of rainforests we know that. They’re all around the world.
GREG HUNT:
And that reduces emissions. These are really good things to do. And I would say…
DAVID KOCH:
Yep. I agree. I totally agree.
GREG HUNT:
…there was criticism before we’d made the pledge and now some people, David, would criticise it afterwards.
DAVID KOCH:
No, no. I think you ought to be applauded. I just…
GREG HUNT:
And I think this is a good thing, not a bad thing.
DAVID KOCH:
I think you should be applauded, I just can’t believe that you’ve gone from one extreme to the other. Look, just during the G20 summit…
GREG HUNT:
Oh, let me…
DAVID KOCH:
Hang on. During the G20 summit, Tony Abbott was adamant he would not commit a cent to this fund. Even facing off against President Obama, he stuck his heels in. It was extraordinary. That was only three weeks ago.
GREG HUNT:
Well, let me actually put a little bit more context here. In Opposition we said we would hold an Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit. Julie Bishop announced that in New York just a few months ago and then last month we brought together countries from around the world.
We’re now backing that with a focus on protecting the forests and the habitat for orang-utan, incredibly important protection of our own region, as well as reducing emissions. So it’s part of a process which was started in Opposition, announced in New York, held in Australia, and countries such as the United States and others have indicated they will be supportive of what we are doing.
We have got Indonesia and Papua New Guinea who are there and other international organisations who want to support it.
DAVID KOCH:
And we…
GREG HUNT:
So Australia is taking the lead in protecting these forests and I think that everybody should be pleased about that and proud.
DAVID KOCH:
Taking the lead? Okay.
GREG HUNT:
In terms of the forests of this area. When you think of the habitat for the orang-utan, you think of Borneo, you look at the region, other countries such as the Philippines, Cambodia, we’ve got the Laos Republic.
DAVID KOCH:
Yep. There are lots of countries with them.
GREG HUNT:
They’re all coming into the Australian plan for an Asia-Pacific Rainforest Recovery.
DAVID KOCH:
That’s fabulous. Well, as I say, absolutely to be applauded. Whether it’s a Christmas vision or the Christmas spirit, it’s a massive change in attitude and we think that’s terrific.
Alright, thank you for joining us Greg Hunt. There you go. Sam?
GREG HUNT:
Thanks, Kochie.
DAVID KOCH:
The spirit of Christmas.
(ENDS)