Deputy PM apologises for telling Pacific it will survive climate change as workers 'pick our fruit'

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has apologised for comments about Pacific islanders being able to survive the ravages of climate change by taking fruit-picking jobs in Australia. Key points: Pacific countries want Australia to do more about climate change as they face rising sea levels Nationals leader Michael McCormack said last week they would survive because they "pick our fruit" He has has offered an apology for the comment "if any insult was taken" Mr McCormack made the comments last Friday as he sought to dismiss criticism levelled at Prime Minister Scott Morrison following the Pacific Islands Forum, at which leaders claimed Australia was ignoring the threat climate change posed to the survival of vulnerable low-lying island nations. " "I come from an electorate where there's a strong horticultural section, for which couldn't operate without the labour force that's provided by the Pacific islands." Tuvalu Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga, who hosted the Pacific Islands Forum, said the comments made Pacific Islanders sound like "paupers" who were begging for Australian support.