Tech billionaire Bill Gates is jet-setting across Australia on his $70million private jet as he preaches about the dangers of climate change.

The Microsoft founder and fourth richest person in the world is in Australia with representatives from his company Breakthrough Energy, as he drums up business for the firm which claims to drive innovation in sustainable energy and in technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Mr Gates relaxed on Lizard Island on Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef before flying the Gulfstream jet, one of two he owns, to Sydney on Saturday for a meeting with Anthony Albanese. 

His $70m Gulfstream, which was spotted on the tarmac at Sydney’s Kingsford Smith  airport as he headed to the Australian prime minister’s official residence Kirribilli House, burns around 1,700 litres of fuel per hour.

Mr Gates also addressed the big business-funded Lowy Institute think-tank in Sydney on Monday to share his views on the Covid-19 pandemic and environment.

‘Climate change is not yet having the negative effects of a disease like malaria, which kills 400,00 children a year,’ Mr Gates told attendees.

‘The reason why climate change is worth investing in massively is because it will get worse and worse over time.’

‘If you allow the warming to go to an extreme level, then all sorts of natural ecosystems disappear and all sorts of places…