2005 hottest year on record for Australia

Federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell says new data showing 2005 was Australia's hottest year on record is further evidence of climate change.

The Bureau of Meteorology is releasing figures today showing the average temperature last year was 22.89 degrees.

It is the highest average temperature in Australia since comprehensive record keeping began in 1910.

Senator Campbell says it is extra proof that the earth is warming up and a global response is required.

"It is a huge and serious challenge, these figures add to the weight of evidence that climate change is real and that it's a problem that the world needs to work together to seek to solve," he said.