PM enjoying forum hosting duties

It's been a good week for Kevin Rudd.
The prime minister looked decidedly relaxed on Thursday as he outlined the results
of his two-day summit with regional leaders at the Pacific Islands Forum in Cairns.
Not only did he get to swap the Canberra chill for tropical warmth but the
diplomat-turned-PM was clearly enjoying playing statesman while the opposition
floundered over the Godwin Grech affair.
As host and chairman of the forum, Mr Rudd also got to choose the attire for the
leaders retreat on Thursday, giving him a chance to dress his counterparts up in his
favourite brand.
His choice of fashion, a pale blue RM Williams business shirt, with optional
matching boots, was in stark contrast to the colourful attire leaders have donned in
previous years for the mandatory "silly shirt photo".
On the policy front, the forum was dominated by climate change, with the member
nations issuing a united call for action from world leaders.
The issue is of vital importance to the forum, especially low-lying island states
such as Tuvalu and Kiribati, whose very existence is threatened by rising sea
levels.
"The very viability of certain of the island states is at stake," Mr Rudd said.
"We cannot simply afford to wait."
The forum also resolved to begin negotiations toward a regional free trade agreement
"forthwith".
Australia and New Zealand had hoped to begin negotiations on the agreement at the
forum but faced resistance from the island states, which wanted more time to
consider their position.
As expected, and despite the best attempts of Mr Rudd and New Zealand PM John Key to
play down the issue, Fiji's exclusion from the forum cast a shadow over the event.
Fiji was suspended from the forum in May after the its military leader Frank
Bainimarama reneged on promises to hold democratic elections.
Niue Premier Toke Talagi, the departing forum chairman, caused a stir on Wednesday
by urging Fijian citizens to "rise against the regime". His comments were played
down by Mr Rudd and Mr Key.
Mr Rudd will remain chairman of the 15-nation forum until next year's event in Vanuatu.