"I am optimistic that the world can move."
So said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in response to a question in Parliament from Zali Steggall in climate change. Steggall asked, "Will your government stop making the problem worse by funding and approving further fossil fuel projects?"
The Prime Minister answered, "This government understands that we need to deal with energy policy, transport policy and housing policy. We need to make homes more efficient, we need to change the make-up of our transport network in accordance with what's happening around the world, and we need to move to the cheapest and cleanest form of new energy, which is renewables. We need to do that in partnership with the rest of the world, and I look forward in coming days to meeting with global leaders and talking about how we cooperate. I know in the lead-up to the G20, when I've spoken with people like Prime Minister Sunak of the UK, and in the past few days with the leaders of Vietnam, Thailand and other nations in our region, the first thing that they raised was climate change. I am optimistic that the world can move. I want Australia to be a part of that, and my government's commitment is to do just that."
It has been a consistent theme by Anthony Albanese.
On election eve 2022, he said: "I want a country where hope and optimism are the major emotions projected from our national government to the Australian people."
On the doorstep of his home before heading to Canberra to be sworn in as Prime Minister, he said: "I want to lead a government that has the same sentiment of optimism and hope that defines the Australian people. I want to be positive and channel the opportunity we have to shape change, so we bring people with us on the journey of change."
At a doorstop at the premises of Pallion, the Prime Minister said, "I'm very proud to represent this local community, but I'm also very proud to be the Prime Minister of Australia, to lead Australia at a time where really we're at a crossroads. We can be more successful if we're optimistic if we seize those opportunities which are there. I'm determined to do so."