At the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, Albanese backed his government’s support for a pre-COP summit in Fiji and Tuvalu, funded with over $20 million despite limited high-level attendance from just five non-Pacific leaders like those from Antigua and Barbuda and Maldives.
He emphasised the event’s role in spotlighting Pacific climate leadership and strengthening regional ties on security and climate issues.
Critics, including opposition figures and online voices, called the spending wasteful given cost-of-living pressures and low turnout from major emitters like the US and China, while supporters highlighted Australia’s Pacific interests.
