CLIMATE CHANGE NOT AUSTRALIA’S PRIORITY AT 2014 G20

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. Photo credit: Out In Perth.

The Australian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, says her government will not make climate change a priority at the G20 summit in Brisbane later this year.

Bishop made the remarks during the C20 summit, a gathering of civil society groups debating policy suggestions on governance, employment, infrastructure and climate change that will be put forward to the G20 agenda.

She says, climate change international meetings such as the G20 should not try to cover all subjects and illuminate none.

Bishop adds, we must prioritize issues where there is consensus within the G20 on taking action.

However, head of World Vision Australia, Tim Costello, says the G20 must address issues concerning climate change.

Reverend Costello, who is chairing the C20 summit, says there is real concern the Pacific will be left behind as leaders of the bigger economies nut out global economic policy.