Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a new pact with the low-lying island country of Tuvalu, allowing residents facing displacement from climate change the ability resettle in Australia.
Key points:
- The deal is the first time Australia has offered residence or citizenship rights due to the threat posed by climate change
- The US and New Zealand have similar agreements with other Pacific countries
- Mr Albanese described it as the most significant agreement between Australia and a Pacific island nation ever
I think it’s also worth noting that in return they’re handing over their foreign policy / security decision autonomy, so colonialism once again manages to mar an otherwise humane decision. The IMF is getting their own policy pound of flesh too, they love a good bit of disaster capitalism.
To be it looks like Australia’s getting the better end of the deal with Tuvalu essentially agreeing to be a military foothold of Australia in the Pacific.
It’s 280 people a year max visa agreement when Tuvalu has 11,000 people. Australia’s getting a much better deal.
Only 40 years to resettle their entire population, by which time they’ll basically be Atlantis.