Mr Briggs, the Federal Government Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, said he was not surprised the comments had been given prominent coverage, asserting that the strong rhetoric from Mr Obama was not matched by action and that Australia was already doing more than most countries. “The sort of adulation that Obama receives internationally or within Australia he could only dream of receiving back in the US.”
By contrast, West Australian Premier Colin Barnett described Mr Obama’s address as a “call to arms”. He told the West Australian newspaper he thinks Australia “can be bolder” in its emissions reduction targets.