Doorstop - Nadi, Fiji

It's wonderful to be here in Fiji and to also be visiting Tuvalu in what is the important meeting leading up to the Climate Change Conference next month. It is important that Pacific voices are heard, because the Pacific is the front line of action on climate change. For many of the nations represented by leaders here, it is literally a threat to their very existence, which is why the world must act.

We know that we're seeing more intense and more extreme weather events, more frequent on occasion, because of the science on climate change has told us that that would occur. And that unfortunately is what is playing out. So, over the coming days, it will be important to engage with leaders to set the agenda, but also to engage with Prime Minister Rabuka, Australia and Fiji entering into a new alliance, only our fourth alliance in Australia's history.

And it will be an opportunity to advance that agenda over the coming couple of days. PM&C acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders past, present and emerging.