2022 Year in Review

SMOKE AND MIRRORS?
Despite the Government’s attempts to ‘re-brand’ on the global stage, there have been few
tangible changes in policy to point out.
While Australia may have removed its coal-loving PM in Morrison, the country is still
considered a global laggard in climate action. Rising from last place at 59th to 55th place
in a policy ranking of the world’s largest emitters may be a positive step. However, the
country’s refusal to rule out additional coal mines, its weak 2030 reduction targets, and its
continued subsidies for fossil fuels demonstrate there is still a long way to go for Australia
to be in lock-step with other developed economies.
Additionally, despite the high level chats and conferences, Albanese has towed the same
line as his predecessor. Even following another meeting with Macron in November,
Albanese has remained committed to the AUKUS alliance and the nuclear submarine
deal, much to the continued disappointment of the French. On China, while Albanese may
be less hawkish and has avoided the dangerous “drums of war” rhetoric used by
Opposition Leader, Peter Dutton, Australia has not taken any steps back when it comes to
its China policy. The Chinese Government remains equally stoic.
While Albanese’s may be wise to maintain the status quo, it demonstrates the difficulty
the country faces navigating the issues of the 21st century. For all the new government’s
perceived successes on foreign policy in its first six months in office, it may be too soon to
tell what the long term implications of an Albanese-Wong partnership may be.
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P H O T O : G E T T Y I M A G E S