Coalition should have heeded calls from Pacific to raise climate targets, Simon Birmingham says

Liberal senator says Australia's approach to emissions debate had not been ideal' for Pacific relations

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Senior Coalition frontbencher Simon Birmingham has said the former Morrison government was wrong to resist increasing Australia's 2030 emissions reduction target.

Speaking in Palau, Birmingham said it was critical for us to listen carefully and attentively to our Pacific partners" and act in concert with them". The way Australia conducted its climate debate had not been ideal for all of our relations", he said.

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