Well, there is no doubt. I have an urge to hug the strangers sitting around me in the Conference plenary, having just heard our Prime Minister speak the words “Climate change is the defining challenge of our generation”. Kevin Rudd’s speech was not radical in some ways – he did not strongly call on the Summit to commit to specific targets. But it was a transformation of Australian government rhetoric not just on climate change, but on the need for a multilateral solution to global problems where all countries work together.

While referring to the upcoming Garnaut report he has commissioned to set national emission targets, he called for this conference to commit to a process that determines strong and binding international targets, based firmly on the science. In a stark departure from Australia’s previous slavish following of the United States, Rudd called on ALL Countries (and he repeated “All Countries”) to commit to be part of the process, and flatly rejectly unilateral forms of action in favour of a global solution.

Prior to the opening today, Tammy-Jo and I went up to the Ministers assembled at the Australian desk, including Climate Change Minister Penny Wong, Environment Minister Peter Garrett, Victorian Premier John Brumby and Treasurer Wayne Swan to say hello, congratulate them on their election win, and mention our support for Australia to take very strong action on climate change.

This morning’s opening plenary was certainly galvanizing – speakers from the UN Secretary General to the Prime Minister of the small Island of Palau spoke passionately about the need for urgent action. As the Palau PM said in 2000, and again today, time is not running out – it has run out.

Bouyed by Rudd’s speech, I hope this is a start but know there is an incredibly long way for them to go. One thing is certain, I’m glad I was not sitting here listening to John Howard continue to deny climate change, committing our country to pariah status on the world stage. Anyway, this is an emotional high point for me.