Eighteen years ago today Anthony Albanese issued a press release about the urgent need to not just act on climate change, but prepare for the humanitarian crisis of climate refugees fleeing low-lying Pacific island nations.

Specifically his press release, having criticised the Howard government for being slow to act, called for “the establishment of an international coalition led by Australia to accept climate change refugees from Pacific countries”.

Of course, back in 2006 the then shadow environment minister had no power to act on his concerns, but 18 years later the only thing holding the Prime Minister back is his own (lack of) resolve.

Albanese’s October 9, 2006, press release also declared that: “It’s in Australia’s national interest that we lead on climate change, not wait decades to act”.

It also made reference to a discussion paper our current PM had authored, the emotionally titled ‘Our drowning neighbours’.

But 18 years later, the Albanese government, like the Howard government of 2006, is still ignoring the scientific consensus about the........

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