Tuvalu PM set to pressure new Australian leader at United Nations

The Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Enele Sopoaga, says he is reassessing his country's relationship with Australia, in the wake of fierce debate over global warming targets at the Pacific Islands Forum last week.

Sopoaga, who is also the chair of the Small Island States group, says Australia's approach to the forum, as well as a much-publicised climate change joke made by Australia's immigration minister, are evidence of the country's indifference towards the plight of low-lying countries.

With Malcolm Turnbull becoming the Prime Minister of Australia this week, Sopoaga is hoping change in Australia's climate stance could be on the way, and says he will make representations to the new leader to that effect next week when world leaders gather at the United Nations in New York.