Australia Prime Minister Abbott Ousted by Advocate of Strong Action on Climate Change

摘要

Australia's climate-skeptic Prime Minister Tony Abbott was ousted Sept. 14 as leader of the ruling Liberal Party by Malcolm Turnbull, a vocal advocate of strong action on climate change. Prime Minister-designate Turnbull won a party room ballot for the leadership, 54-44. The new leadership could prompt changes to Australia's policy on climate change, although Turnbull was careful to downplay the prospect of a dramatic shift at a news conference at Parliament House after the vote. The government's existing Direct Action climate change policy "is one that I support," Turnbull said. He noted that government policies, however, generally are "reviewed and adapted all the time." Liberal Party deputy leader Julie Bishop, who is Australia's foreign minister, said during a media conference that there would be no change to the 2030 emissions targets that Australia would take to United Nations climate talks in Paris at the end of the year. In August, Australia committed to cut emissions 26 percent to 28 percent by 2030 compared to 2005 levels (38 INER 1041, 8/12/15).