Deputy PM apologises after suggesting Pacific nations can survive climate change by picking Australian fruit

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has apologised after suggesting Pacific nations can survive climate change by picking Australian fruit.

"If any insult was taken I sincerely apologise," he told reporters in Brisbane today.

Mr McCormack made the inflammatory comments in response to tense discussions between Australian and Pacific leaders about coal and climate change at the Pacific Islands Forum last week.

His remarks fuelled already simmering tensions, with host Tuvalu's leader Enele Sopoaga threatening to pull out of Australia's seasonal workers scheme.

Mr McCormack said he made the comments after being asked about the resources sector, given Pacific nations want coal to be phased out due to rising sea levels due to climate change threatening their low-lying countries.

"We need a strong resources sector to support Australian jobs, to support Australian energy, to support Australian exports but also to continue to be able to support the Pacific islands," he said.

But Australia also needs help from the Pacific, Mr McCormack added.

Former president of Kiribati Anote Tong said he was grateful for the apology but doesn't understand why the Nationals leader made the comments in the first place.

"Climate change on its very own is a serious security threat, it's an existential issue for most of these countries," he told AAP.

"We are not totally insensitive, we listen, we hear and we feel.