New York: Before it became dominated by the United States' effort to build a coalition for war with Islamic State, this week's General Assembly of the United Nations was to have focused on climate change.
So far Australia has been as vocal about the former as it has been silent on the latter.
Speaking in the offices of his nation's mission to the United Nations on Saturday afternoon, Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Tony de Brum said he and the leaders of other Pacific island nations were bewildered by what he called "backsliding" on climate change by Australia, which the region had considered to be its "big brother down south".
"Probably one of the most frustrating events of the past year for Pacific islanders is Australia's strange behaviour when it comes to climate change," he said.
Island nations had watched with dismay not only the abolition of the carbon tax in Australia, but also the defunding of scientific advisory bodies, said Mr de Brum.
"It just does not make sense, it goes against the grain of the world.
"Not only [is Australia] our big brother down south, Australia is a member of the Pacific Islands Forum and Australia is a Pacific island, a big island, but a Pacific island. It must recognise that it has a responsibility.
"The problems that have befallen the smaller countries are also Australia's problems. You cannot remove Australia from the life and blood of the Pacific."
He said Pacific island nations no longer have time to debate climate change or even to engage in dialogue about how it might be mitigated - they need immediate action.
"[Failure to act] for us would mean disappearance under the sea by the turn of the century."
He says the Marshall Islands are already suffering concurrent floods and drought, king tides that earlier this year forced the closure of their airport, communities forced to move inland from the shoreline.
Mr de Brum said he had appealed for a bilateral meeting with "our good friend Julie Bishop" but had heard no response. Since then Fairfax Media has confirmed that the Foreign Minister has accepted an invitation to meet with Mr de Brum.
She will also attend a climate change summit to be addressed by US President Barack Obama on Tuesday, though Mr de Brum said he was disappointed that Prime Minister Tony Abbott has chosen not to attend. At that meeting it is hoped nations will begin to build the framework for a new international climate change agreement to be negotiated in Paris next year.
Mr Abbott will attend a Security Council summit to discuss foreign terrorist fighters on Wednesday.
On Monday Australia's position on climate change is expected to be a key topic at a meeting of Pacific Island leaders, including the presidents of the Marshall Islands, Kiribati and Micronesia and the prime minister of Samoa.
On Sunday, Mr de Brum will join UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a protest march in support of action on climate change that protesters boast will be the largest in history.
Mr de Brum said Pacific island states felt particularly abandoned by Australia given their support for Australia's campaign for a seat on the Security Council.
"We were one of the campaigners for Australia to be on the Security Council, we bought along many of our bodies to do that, on the understanding that Australia-Pacific islands relationship is close, not subject to the whims of one or two politicians from time to time, it is based on stability and long-term relations, so this is very disappointing for us, [that you would] come and be friendly when you want to be on the Security Council, but after you do that, you do your own thing."
He said that "betrayal" was too strong a word to use for now, "but it may not be soon".
He said Marshall Islands citizens were also dismayed at cuts to the Australian foreign aid budget that had seen projects abandoned.
"The perception is that Australia changes its government and then not only changes its view on climate change but also [its] commitments. Back-pedalling on a political stance is one thing but back-pedalling on projects is really hurtful.
"Now we are being abandoned."
Speaking as he awaited a flight to attend UN meetings, World Vision Australia chief executive Tim Costello said Australia's aid cuts made neither economic nor moral sense. He said as China increased its investment throughout the region Australia's cuts in aid to its neighbours could not help but play a part in decisions made about the awarding of contracts.
He said Australia had a moral obligation to act on climate change.
