Australia at odds with Pacific leaders over climate commitments

Prime minister Scott Morrison has clashed with leaders at the annual Pacific Islands Forum over Australia’s refusal to support stronger regional action on climate change.

Morrison told media at the forum in Tuvalu that he understood the “deep sensitivity” around climate change impacts for Pacific nations but his main concern was to maintain Australia’s economic interests.

“I’m accountable to the Australian people—that’s who I’m accountable for,” he said.