Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, departed Australia today to visit Washington DC and New York City to discuss climate change with leading figures in the new US Administration.

Senator Wong said the Rudd Government welcomed the strong commitment of the Obama Administration on climate change.

“With the newly elected Obama Administration, America has an opportunity like no other country to transform the current climate negotiations and deliver momentum towards an agreement,” Senator Wong said.

“Australia and the US have a long history of working together to solve common problems and we share a common interest in tackling climate change.

“Both our countries have governments that are taking the problem of climate change seriously and we can work together to help shape a global solution.

“This visit provides an opportunity to inform key private and public sector figures in the US on Australia's progress to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and to hear the latest on the US government’s plans to tackle climate change.”

Senator Wong said the visit would allow early and close dialogue with the US on how Australia and the US can work together in the UN negotiations to achieve an effective post-2012 outcome on climate change.

“It is important for Australia to have early engagement with the Obama Administration as we work to secure a strong and effective international agreement to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.”

As the US considers the introduction of a cap-and-trade emissions trading scheme, Senator Wong will discuss with US counterparts Australia’s experience in developing emissions trading through the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.

Senator Wong will meet with key members of the new Administration and Congress, as well as with opinion leaders and representatives from a range of business and environmental organisations.

In New York, Senator Wong will give a speech to the International Peace Institute and in Washington DC, she will address the Pew Centre for Global Climate Change.