Island nations need to respect the hand that feeds

It is extremely interesting to hear that the Pacific Island nations are putting Australia, that produces about 1 per cent of total world carbon emissions, on notice.

Kiribati's President Taneti Maamau, Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna, Tonga's Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva, Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare pose for the family photo before the Leaders Retreat at the Pacific Islands Forum in Funafuti, Tuvalu. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas).

IT is extremely interesting to hear that the Pacific Island nations are putting Australia, that produces about 1 per cent of total world carbon emissions, on notice.

They say Australia must lift it’s game by assisting the island nations financially and reducing Australia’s carbon footprint in the Pacific Islands region.

Why wouldn’t the Pacific Island nations have the fortitude to have this discussion with China, India and America as these three nations well and truly account for the bulk of global emissions?

Simple answer is that there would not be any discussion at all.

Obviously if Australia was to stop all funding to the island nations then these islands would quickly take funding from communist China and then the island nations would realise that Australia was previously a very sympathetic and caring Big Brother.

The island nations should have a very clear think-tank before putting unnecessary demands on the Australian hand that feeds them.

JEFF TAYLOR, Currimundi

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