Fiji PM urges Aust to put neighbours first

Fiji's prime minister has urged Australia to abandon its membership of the "coalition of the selfish" and do more to combat climate change.

"(Prime Minister Tony) Abbott, it is time to put the welfare and survival of your Pacific Island neighbours before the expansion of your existing coal industry," Frank Bainimarama told leaders at the Pacific Island Development Forum meeting in Suva.

Fiji set up a rival club of Pacific nations to protest Australia and New Zealand's heavy influence on the Pacific Islands Forum, which meets in Port Moresby next week without Mr Bainimarama.