Opposition Says Government Making Excuses Over Failed Vanuatu Security Deal
Nationals leader criticizes Labor's Pacific diplomacy as Queensland prepares coal phase-out timeline
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The federal government is making excuses for its failure to secure a defense agreement with Vanuatu rather than addressing China's growing influence in the Pacific, Nationals leader David Littleproud said this morning.
Littleproud rejected Foreign Minister Penny Wong's claim that the previous coalition government damaged relationships with Pacific nations, saying Labor is deflecting from its own diplomatic shortcomings since taking office in 2022.
"I don't think that's a reasonable explanation," Littleproud told Sky News First Edition. "I think that what that is is an excuse for this government who heralded their diplomatic success when they came into power in 2022."
The criticism comes as Australia continues to compete with China for influence across the Pacific region, with several nations increasingly turning to Beijing for economic partnerships and security arrangements.
Littleproud defended the coalition's Pacific record, pointing to significant telecommunications investments made while he served in cabinet.
"We had and continue to have strong relationships with the Pacific and our Pacific families," he said. "When I was in the cabinet of the former coalition government, we made sure that we supported the Pacific in terms of their telecommunications, spent billions of dollars in making sure that Digicel, the telecommunications provider, continued to be able to independently do that without foreign interference."
The Nationals leader acknowledged that China's financial resources may be difficult for Australia to match in the region.
"If that's the principle of what our Pacific family is looking at, then potentially yes," Littleproud said when asked whether China's financial power was too strong to compete against.
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However, he called on Pacific nations to apply the same pressure on China regarding climate emissions that they regularly apply to Australia.
"While the Pacific family continue to push us on emissions, it's important they also use their leverage with China, who emit a lot more and in fact, are pushing, are having a greater impact on climate change than what Australia is," Littleproud said.
He noted that Australia produces "a bit over 1% of emissions" while "China is significantly more."
"It's important that our Pacific family also uses their leverage with China to reduce their emissions in the same public way that they've tried to put pressure on Australia to reduce our emissions," he said.
Queensland Coal Phase-Out Plan
Littleproud also addressed reports that Queensland's coalition government will announce an end date for coal power next month as part of a five-year energy plan.
The Nationals leader attributed the state's move directly to federal Labor policies, particularly the Capacity Investment Scheme.
"This is a direct result of federal government policy," Littleproud said. "The capacity investment scheme is there that has spent $60-plus billion of your taxpayers' money in subsidising renewables to take over as our energy source."
He questioned the logic of government subsidies for renewable energy if it truly represents the cheapest power source, as claimed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
"If the cheapest form of energy is renewable and Anthony Albanese says, why do they have to spend $64 billion in underwriting a price for these renewable projects?" Littleproud asked.
He warned that the renewable transition was enriching foreign investors at taxpayers' expense.
"They are putting money into the pockets of billionaires and from foreign entities coming in and making sure that we have an unreliable energy grid that is going to 82% renewables to beyond by 2050," he said.
Littleproud emphasized the importance of maintaining baseload power in any transition away from coal.
"You've got to replace it with base load," he said. "And if you're going to replace and firm it up with gas, you need a lot of gas."
He explained that energy prices are determined by the highest input cost, which is currently gas.
"I think it's important for Australians to understand your energy bill is determined by the highest input cost. The highest input cost is gas," Littleproud said.
While increased gas supply could reduce prices by 2% to 3%, according to Frontier Economics analysis, relying solely on gas to support renewable energy could drive bills even higher, he warned.
"If you just rely solely on gas as the firming power to renewables, your energy bills potentially will go even higher," Littleproud said.
He advocated for a technology-neutral approach to energy policy.
"You need a mix. And that's where the Capacity Investment Scheme has an opportunity to have all energy sources in there to make sure that we are getting the cheapest. And let's let the market decide. Let's not subsidise one over the other."
Israel-Qatar Strike Concerns
Littleproud also weighed in on Israel's overnight attack on Qatar, calling it "a step too far" that requires explanation.
"This looks to be a step too far from Israel. They are attacking the sovereignty of Qatar, who has proactively tried to broker peace," he said.
While acknowledging Israel's right to defend itself and bring home citizens, Littleproud said attacking Qatar's sovereignty was concerning.
"I respect the fact that they're trying to bring home their citizens, that they're defending their sovereignty, but attacking the sovereignty of Qatar the way they have, I think, requires explanation," he said.
He warned that the strike could set back peace negotiations in the region.
"Potentially setting back the peace process is one that I think the whole world will be disappointed in," Littleproud said.
Jacinta Price Apology Call
On domestic political matters, Littleproud suggested Liberal Senator Jacinta Price should apologize to end ongoing controversy over recent comments.
"I think Jacinta's already admitted that she got it wrong. She regrets it. I think a simple apology, move on," he said.
The Nationals leader said politicians should acknowledge mistakes and focus on their parliamentary duties.
"In politics, we often get things wrong. What you've got to do is acknowledge it, say sorry, move on and focus on what we're there to do," Littleproud said.
"We've been given a privileged position in Parliament by the Australian people. We should take that seriously and we should get on with holding the Albanese government to account rather than focusing on one another."
When asked whether the ongoing saga was frustrating for opposition efforts, Littleproud said the Nationals would continue focusing on their own priorities.
"I'll let the Liberals work through their internal processes. The Nationals have always been focused on ourselves and the people we represent," he said.
He pointed to the party's post-election success in securing concessions from the Liberals as evidence of their independent approach.
"We proved that after the election, and we were able to get the Liberals to agree to the four demands. Otherwise, we were prepared to stay out of the coalition," Littleproud said.
"We fight fiercely for the people who elect us. That's what has meant our success. We didn't lose a seat at the last election, and that's why the Nationals will continue on the pathway we are."
The interview highlighted ongoing tensions within the coalition partnership and the challenges facing Australia's foreign policy in an increasingly contested Pacific region.
Queensland's anticipated coal phase-out announcement is expected October 10, according to the interview.
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