Australia’s foreign minister says ‘it’s a matter for those countries’ after being questioned on the matter five times by Penny Wong

The foreign affairs minister Marise Payne says Australia “acknowledges” decisions by Japan and South Korea to adopt net zero targets for 2050, but she has declined to welcome that development, despite Australia’s status as a signatory to the Paris agreement.

This week Japan pledged to cut its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, as did South Korea. China last month pledged to reach carbon neutrality by no later than 2060.

Related: NSW environment minister urges end to 'pointless, backward-looking arguments' about climate action

Related: Australian PM's office omits net zero emissions from account of Morrison's talk with Johnson