Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended his latest overseas trip as Australians prepare for a likely interest rate rise on Tuesday, insisting international diplomacy and trade engagement are critical to improving living standards at home.
Albanese spent part of his visit to Antigua and Barbuda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting attending the launch of the Commonwealth Nature Initiative aboard mining billionaire Andrew Forrest’s Green Pioneer vessel.
He was joined by King Charles III, Forrest and a host of world leaders and conservation advocates.
The event unveiled a $288 million conservation pledge aimed at helping Commonwealth nations protect 30 per cent of their land and oceans by 2030.
The launch was held aboard Fortescue’s Green Pioneer, described as the world’s first ammonia-capable dual-fuel vessel.
King Charles attended a reception on board following the event, alongside world leaders including Albanese, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Guyanese President Irfaan Ali.
Asked what message he had for Australians ahead of a likely rate rise, Albanese said his government remained focused on strengthening the economy.
‘My message to Australians is that we’ll continue to work each and every day to keep our economy stronger, and that includes engaging in global trade and engaging in the world,’ he said.
Anthony Albanese (left) met with King Charles and Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest (centre)
Albanese (right) rejected criticism about his overseas trips, arguing it strengthened trade
The Prime Minister also rejected suggestions he had implied living standards could not improve until wars in Ukraine and the Middle East ended.
‘What I say is that the global conflicts are having an ongoing impact on the global economy. That’s something that every single leader here would recognise,’ Albanese said.
When pressed on comments from an earlier speech in which he said that ‘returning our nations and our world to the path of prosperity and rising living standards requires an end to those wars’, Albanese argued the conflicts were contributing to inflationary pressures worldwide.
‘Global inflation is having an impact because of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. That is having an impact on the global economy,’ he said.
Albanese also said he was pursuing ‘Australia’s national interests’ on the trip.
‘Australia’s national interests are served by a stronger global economy, by engaging in trade, by engaging with our economic partners, as well as our national security interests,’ he said.
While on board Andrew Forrest’s Green Pioneer vessel, Albanese in a speech argued that environmental protection and climate action can drive economic growth, while praising King Charles’ leadership on conservation.
He also linked environmental action to economic outcomes, arguing that climate policies would lower costs rather than increase them.
Anthony Albanese (pictured) addressed the crowd on board Forrest’s Green Pioneer vessel
‘When we use economic systems to drive that change, because renewable energy will lower costs, not increase them, and will boost economic growth and productivity, then together we can be successful,’ he said.
The Prime Minister said climate change posed an ‘existential threat’ for low-lying island nations and pointed to the Green Pioneer itself as evidence that decarbonisation could create new economic opportunities.
‘I congratulate all involved on this initiative, but particularly the leadership of His Majesty King Charles III,’ he said.
