Environment minister responsible for approving expansion of Abbot point coal terminal in Queensland says he is ‘genuinely humbled’ by award

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

The federal environment minister, Greg Hunt, has received the inaugural “best minister in the world” award at the World Government Summit in Dubai for his efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

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“On a personal level I am genuinely humbled to receive this award. I am, however, deeply proud that this inaugural award is being presented to an environment minister,” Hunt told the summit as he accepted the award.

“The environment is our common heritage, our land, our home and our identity. As an Australian I also see this as recognition of the profound work Australia has done in the environment space – and I thank you for that.”

In an interview with Fairfax Media, Hunt described his win as “really an award for Australia”.

The World Government Summit describes itself on its website as “the primary global forum dedicated to shaping the future of government worldwide”.

World Gov Summit (@WorldGovSummit) In Pictures: Best Minister in the World being awarded to Australian Minister @GregHuntMP at the #WorldGovSummit pic.twitter.com/3DnHyYNfuu

“Each year, the summit sets the agenda for the next generation of governments with a focus on how they can harness innovation and technology to solve universal challenges facing humanity,” the website says.

Hunt last year approved expanding the Abbot point coal terminal in northern Queensland, a move that will allow coal from other projects, like Adani’s Carmichael mine, to be shipped for export.

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In 2014, Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions dropped 1.4% in the second full year of the carbon tax, the largest recorded annual decrease in a decade. The tax was abolished by Hunt under the Abbott government.

“The aim of this award is to recognise innovation in global government work and highlight ministerial initiatives that have resulted in positive changes in their communities,” the United Arab Emirates minister of cabinet affairs, Mohammed Al Gergawi, told the summit as he gave Hunt the award.

“Our world today needs ministers to serve as role models of thought and action, which bring about progress and welfare and improve general societal wellbeing.”

Nominations came from more than 80 countries, with part of the criteria leading “quality successful initiatives at the public sector level that serve the needs of citizens”.

Speakers at the summit included US president, Barack Obama, and the president of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim.

World Gov Summit (@WorldGovSummit) Few words with H.E. Greg Hunt winner of the Best Minister in the World award at #WorldGovSummit #Austrailia pic.twitter.com/uhpZ5yVesr

An Australian government report released in December revealed Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions increased in the year to the end of June 2015 by 0.8% and by 1.3% when land use and deforestation were taken into account. Australia generated 549.3 mega-tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2014-15, the report shows.

The opposition leader, Bill Shorten, said of Hunt’s win: “I’d like to see what competition he was up against.”

Asked by reporters in Canberra what he thought led to Hunt receiving the award, Shorten said: “Well, goodness only knows what the entrance requirement was into that competition.

“We see the rate of emissions going up, not down. The only way we’re going to tackle climate change isn’t by giving awards to ministers in Dubai, it’s by having a focus on renewable energy, it’s about committing to real action on climate change.”

The Greens MP Adam Bandt questioned the win, telling reporters in Canberra: “Someone has a good sense of humour.”

“He has done precious little to tackle climate change,” he said.

However nobel laureate Professor Peter Doherty, who has researched the impact of climate change on heath, said Australia’s action on climate change would be lessened had it not been for Hunt.

“My perception of Greg Hunt is that, during a very difficult time for climate and environmental science during the Abbott era, he did his best to defend these areas,” Doherty said.

“We may not be delighted with every decision associated with his office, but my personal sense is that, in these times of constrained budgets, things would have been worse without him.”