This week in Australian politics, the Coalition faced significant internal strife, while the Labor Party observed the turmoil with a sense of relief. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley had hoped to move past recent challenges after reshuffling her frontbench on Sunday. However, discussions around emissions targets reignited tensions within the Coalition.

The government released a climate risk assessment that warned of dire consequences if global temperatures continue to rise. The report indicated that 1.5 million homes in Australia could be at risk from rising sea levels, and a million homes might become uninsurable. It also highlighted the potential for increased premature deaths due to heatwaves. This assessment set the stage for the announcement of long-awaited emissions targets for 2035.

Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie, who has expressed ambitions to lead the party, warned that discussions of net zero emissions could jeopardize his position. His comments sparked renewed speculation about leadership within the Coalition, even as Ley attempted to shift the focus to economic issues. By midweek, Hastie softened his stance, acknowledging that his views on net zero were not widely shared within the party.

In a significant move, Australia committed to reducing emissions by 62 to 70 percent by 2035. This target, announced alongside former state Liberal MP Matt Kean, positions Australia as more ambitious than Canada and New Zealand, though it still lags behind the UK. The announcement drew immediate criticism, with the Greens calling it inadequate and the Coalition labeling it as harmful to the economy.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's week began with a trip to Papua New Guinea, where he aimed to sign a defense treaty coinciding with the country's 50th anniversary of independence. However, the signing did not occur due to a lack of ministerial attendance at the meeting. Albanese returned home without securing the agreements he had hoped for, having only signed a communique stating that the treaty would be finalized once the PNG cabinet approved it.

This setback followed a previous visit to Vanuatu, where Albanese also left without signing a security deal. As he returned to Australia, PNG announced that its defense minister would be visiting China, raising concerns about regional security dynamics.

In a surprising turn, U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned a forthcoming meeting with Albanese, indicating that he would discuss defense spending with the Australian leader. Trump has been vocal about urging world leaders to increase their defense budgets, and Albanese hoped to present a series of Pacific security agreements during their meeting.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles was in PNG, but the acting prime minister title fell to Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who chose a low-profile approach during this critical time. Wong's absence from public engagements contrasted with Marles' usual visibility when he serves as acting PM. Instead, Wong made a brief social media post acknowledging her temporary role, while the political landscape continued to shift around her.