New polling research shows a majority of voters in the marginal seat of Boothby think Australia has some responsibility for the pollution caused by burning our fossil fuels overseas, and more voters in the seat support a ban on new gas and coal projects than support allowing them to go ahead.

The research comes as Pacific Leaders visit Parliament House in Canberra and call for Australia to do more to stop sea level rise and climate disaster in the Pacific. Presidents Tong and Remengesau will address the media and an online webinar at 11am on Tuesday 13 September.

The research in the marginal, suburban seat comes following remarks from Opposition Leader Peter Dutton that he plans to target “outer-suburban seats” in the wake of the Australian election which produced a parliamentary “super majority” for climate action.

Key Results:

• A majority of voters in the seat of Boothby (53.5%) believe that Australia has some responsibility for the pollution from Australian gas and coal burnt overseas than those who believe Australia has no responsibility (40.5%, with 6% unsure).
• More voters in the seat of Boothby (38.6%) believe the Government should ban new gas and coal projects from going ahead than otherwise (34.8%, 26.5% undecided).
• A majority of voters in the seat of Boothby (58%) want world leaders to agree to stop new coal mines at the next UN climate meeting (26.3% want world leaders to allow new coal mines to continue, 15.8% undecided)
• Former Presidents from the Pacific are in Canberra and calling for a moratorium on new gas and coal in Australia at a webinar hosted by the Australia Institute.

“The message from Pacific leaders and the voters of Boothby is clear: Australia needs to take responsibility for the gas and coal exported overseas and that means a ban on new projects,” said Richie Merzian, Climate & Energy Program Director at leading public policy think-tank the Australia Institute.

“From the outer suburbs to the Pacific Islands, the Australian and international community is sending a message that they want Australia to act as a responsible global citizen when it comes to the damaging impact of gas and coal projects.

“As Australia celebrates the passage of the 43% climate bill, Pacific leaders deserve to know that the new Australian Government’s improved rhetoric on climate is matched by policy integrity when it comes to new gas and coal projects and exports.”

Presidents Tong and Remengesau will address the media and an online webinar at 11am, hosted by the Regional Climate Diplomacy Forum, Pacific Elders Voice, Edmund Rice Centre and The Australia Institute. They will also meet a range of politicians from across the Parliament.