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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese touched down in New York on Sunday morning (Australian time) for four days of frenzied diplomatic meetings on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
After arriving at John F Kennedy International Airport, Albanese told reporters that “what we want to see is increased peace and security and stability around the world”.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon arrive at JFK International Airport ahead of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer
“Australia plays an important role. We are a trusted partner and an ally,” he said.
Albanese said the UN General Assembly would offer an opportunity to advance Australia’s interests, including by outlining Australia’s new emissions reduction targets.
“We also have particular issues to advance, such as our social media ban, where Australia is leading the world,” he said, referring to the government’s move to prevent children aged under 16 from operating social media accounts.
Albanese is expected to at least meet US President Donald Trump in person this week though there are doubts a sit-down meeting between the two leaders will occur. There had been hopes of a formal meeting today, but Trump is attending the funeral of prominent right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk.
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Also in the US is Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen who last week announced the government’s new target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by between 62 and 70 per cent of 2005 levels by 2035.
As part of the new target, the government also revealed an extra $7 billion in spending, taking its total expenditure in trying to reduce emissions to $75 billion.
On Sunday, Bowen said the extra spending – which includes $1.1 billion to support the development of cleaner liquid fuels – would “unleash” much more in private investment that would aid Australia’s reduction in greenhouse emissions.
“We certainly see the vast majority coming from the private [sector]. We see a role for us to unlock that investment,” he told the ABC’s Insiders program.
“Take the CEFC (Clean Energy Finance Corporation), for example. It spends $4 billion to unlock $12 billion of private sector investment, creating 4000 jobs. That’s the sort of approach we can take.
“That takes our total investment to $75 billion. That’s a lot. But that’s what we decided to do. That’s our plan and that’s what we’re sticking to.”
Part of the government’s new target relies on a huge increase in the uptake of EV vehicles by the nation’s motorists.
Bowen said the government had never had and would not set an EV vehicle target, with motorists already making the move away from internal combustion engine vehicles.
“I do note that many manufacturers are withdrawing internal combustion vehicles In the 2030s. They won’t be available for sale, right? The market will drive a lot of behaviour,” he said.
“EV sales were about 1 per cent when we came to office. About 10 per cent now. I’m pleased with that. Obviously, I want to see high take-up. But we’re not about mandating a particular sales level because I think Australians should make that choice.”
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