Australia's climate change obligations

In a campaign where we have witnessed billions of dollars being splashed about at campaign launches and into the hip-pockets of Australian voters, it is clear that Australia can afford to help its poorer neighbours adapt to the devastating impacts of climate change.

The Coalition Government has made some good progress on aid in recent years, having committed to restore Australia’s aid level from 0.26 per cent of national income in 2005 to 0.31 per cent by 2010. It has also developed a new White Paper policy framework for the aid program. Labor has matched the Coalition on aid volume by 2010 and then promised to lift aid to 0.5 per cent of national income by 2015 - if it wins a third term. Both sides’ commitments however still fall below the agreed UN target of 0.7 per cent.

But assistance on climate change ought to be in addition to Australia’s existing aid budget allocations which rightly focus on health, education and disaster response. Moreover, some argue that adaptation assistance should not be considered aid but compensatory finance for the damage we have caused through decades of emissions.

The meeting in Bali gives Australia an opportunity to rebuild its international reputation on climate change which, to date, has been embarrassing. Whichever party wins on 24 November, the next Australian Government must start by ratifying Kyoto, supporting the negotiation of a post-2012 treaty and providing our fair share of the assistance needed by developing countries to adapt to climate change.

Many thousands of voters across the nation have made it clear they expect action on climate change and justice for the poor. Tired of the fear campaigns and unimpressed by desperate vote-buying, the Australian electorate appears ready to reach out – to our neighbours, to the poor, to the next generation, to the future.