By Abdullahi Lukman
Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has successfully secured a second term following his Labour party’s victory in the federal elections on Sunday, May 4, 2025.
The result has been met with optimism from Pacific youth across Australia, who have been actively involved in voter awareness campaigns targeting Pacific communities.
Jacynta Fa’amau, the Pacific Campaigner for 350.org, expressed that Pacific communities voted for issues aligned with their values, particularly climate change.
“Young Pacific Islanders living in Australia understand the deep connection between the cost-of-living crisis and the climate crisis,” Fa’amau stated. “We deserve a future free of both.”
Although the election outcome signals a rejection of far-right politics, Fa’amau emphasized that there is still significant work ahead.
The Labour government, which has previously made climate-related promises, is now expected to deliver on those commitments.
Fa’amau pointed out that the Albanese government is aiming for clean energy to provide more than 80% of Australia’s power by 2030.
However, she stressed the importance of ensuring that fossil fuel production is phased out, starting with halting the approval of new coal and gas projects.
Despite the encouraging plans for renewable energy, Fa’amau warned that Australia remains one of the world’s largest exporters of coal and gas, contributing significantly to environmental degradation in Pacific Island nations. “Australia’s climate policy will remain inadequate if fossil fuel production continues unchecked,” she concluded.
