New Australian leader Anthony Albanese, set be sworn in as prime minister on May 23, will the next day be in Tokyo for a Quad summit which also includes leaders from the US, Japan and India.
Climate change is sure to be a hot topic, especially with Labor intending to reduce emissions by boosting renewable energy through its Powering Australia plan – “creating jobs, cutting power bills and reducing emissions… to bring cheaper renewable energy to Australian homes and businesses”.
US president Joe Biden has already congratulated Albanese on his Australian federal election win, although Labor may have to do a deal with some independent and Greens candidates to govern.
Both leaders have agendas heavy on electrification, with Biden reportedly frustrated at the former Scott Morrison-led conservative coalition government’s stalling on climate change. Morrison once took a lump of coal into parliament.
Yet recent reports suggest Australia – long considered the “poster child” for global climate change impacts, including floods, droughts, wildfires, and rodent plagues – could be in for a torrid time as climate change bites.
Albanese announced Labor’s drive for transport electrification in the lead-up to the federal election and he expects Australia to become a renewable energy superpower as it reduces reliance on fossil fuels.
Join the conversation