00:03Touching down in soggy Tavalu, Anthony Albanese all smiles and warmly welcomed.
00:12But not everything has gone to plan for the Australian-led talks.
00:17Tavalu was hoping the event would bring global attention to its plight,
00:21with rising sea levels and eroding coastlines putting the future of the tiny island nation in doubt.
00:27Why should countries like Tavalu take on more debt to protect ourselves from a climate crisis we did so little
00:36to cause?
00:38But with Mauritius and Timor-Leste the only non-Pacific nations who sent their leader to the talks,
00:44that message has only been heard by so many.
00:47If we have that unity of purpose, I am certain that we can meet this challenge together.
00:53The Prime Minister had his own awkward moment.
00:56Handed a Tuvaluan flower crown, Mr Albanese first declined to wear it,
01:01then handed it away after other Pacific leaders gratefully accepted theirs.
01:06Despite the lacklustre turnout, the Albanese government backed its decision to spend $20 million on pre-cop,
01:13saying diplomacy comes at a cost.
01:15Others argue Australia spent much more than that as part of the deal to establish an NRL team in Papua
01:22New Guinea.
01:23Now that's $600 million to a bunch of rugby league players, right?
01:27Compared to $20 million to develop the dialogue that is needed.
01:31For those on the front line, it's money well spent to bring attention to an urgent situation.
01:36Will our island still be safe when we grow up?
01:39An emotional plea to leaders in the room and those who chose to stay away.
