The president of the tiny island nation of Maldives has spoken up in favour of Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s controversial carbon tax proposal, saying other developed countries should follow Australia’s lead.

Mohamed Nasheed told a media conference at the close of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth on Sunday that the summit had accepted key recommendations to tackle climate change.

“We will therefore be able to much betterwork through the Commonwealth in saving our islands,” Mr Nasheed told reporters at the end of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

He praised the “brave steps” taken by Australia to introduce a carbon tax.

“I think these are the kinds of measures that we would like to see from the rest of the developed world.”

Ms Gillard’s proposed carbon tax has proved highly controversial and cost her public support, with fears it will increase costs for families and businesses.

The prime minister told Sunday’s media conference that climate change was impacting on small island nations such as Kiribati and Tuvalu and the issue was at the centre of their concerns.

The final communique of CHOGM called for concerted global action on climate change.