Australia’s fortunes are shaped and determined by the political, economic and social forces with the engagement with the Pacific. Australian policies towards the Pacific show a massive measure of continuity with the policies pursued by the conservative Coalition government. The engagement with the Pacific has the impact of proximity and the regional variations with the international policies on Australian policies in relation to neighbouring countries.
Important priority for Australian governments historically, has been Australian’s relations with its ‘near abroad’ countries. Historically, the Australian’s preoccupation with its ‘near abroad’ countries has mainly focused on security concerns in the way the instability might affect Australia itself. Australia’s principal interests in the Pacific had changed little since the first European settlement in the region. Firstly, the islands’ proximity and
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The international factors include the geography, population, economy and the structure of international alliances. The interaction shaped by the governmental factors are the characteristics of the political and bureaucratic institutions are responsible for producing policy decisions. Finally, the local levels, the domestic societal interests in foreign policy outcomes from commercial interests to humanitarian and environmental public interests. Australia is more powerful than the largest of the Pacific islands. However, the islands’ reliance to Australia is the trade and aid which makes them particularly vulnerable to Australian foreign policy. New Zealand plays an important role in Australia’s relationship with the Pacific region. Social, political and economic wise, New Zealand has much in common with Australia and shares similar interests in stabling Pacific island
...The fact that Australia publically sought America’s help angered Britain, but it was all that Australia could do seen as Britain let Singapore fall to the Japanese and did not given Australia suitable reinforcements to help with the growing pressure from the Japanese. It is shown throughout the war that the fall of Singapore damaged Australia’s relations with Britain, there are even cable grams of John Curtain telling Elsie Curtain how badly the relations with Britain and that he has a fight with Churchill almost every day (National Archives of Australia). Australia had always felt the threat of invasion in WWII but when Singapore fell it was almost certain. Australia moved further away from Britain when they publicly sought Americas help with the growing threat of a Japanese attack. None of this would have happened if Singapore had remained in British control.
John Curtin, Prime Minister of Australia from 1941 – 1945, significantly supported the movement towards an Australian-American relationship. In his speech the Task Ahead, he states “Without any inhibitions of any kind, I make it quite clear that Australia looks to America, free of any pangs as to our traditional links or kinship with the United Kingdom.” This speech was supported by newspapers around the country, possibly showing bias, but it is unlikely that Curtin's statement had a major influence on the US military strategy. A close alliance between the two countries was inevitable, as they both shared the same goal - to defeat the Japanese (John.curtin.edu.au, n.d.; Australian Geographic, 2012) and control the Pacific. However, the effect of this statement on the Australian people can be seen in the newspapers from the time period. H.R Knickerbocker, states “It is the bounden duty of the U.S. to strain every nerve and every effort to ship to Australia today and tomorrow, every available fighter bomber and masses of army marines and navy” (Fall of Singapore: What it Means to Us, 1942, from nla.gov.au). This statement is a clear example of Australia’s new found reliance on the United States, showing how Australia has become dependent on the U.S providing it with resources and
Indigenous Australians have faced many changes to their original life style, with numerous policies being brought in. These policies had an incredible affect on how the indigenous Australians lived. The policies inflicted on the indigenous Australians varied widely and had numerous impacts. The policies of assimilation, protection and integration had mainly negative impacts on the community, causing loss of identity, language and religion. The policies of self-determination and reconciliation, had mostly positive effects to the indigenous Australian community, creating a stronger bond between black and white Australians, encouraging the concept of closing the gap between indigenous Australians and non-indigenous Australians. These policies had an incredible influence on the indigenous Australians life, changing many ways they lived. The policies changed the path of history for all Australians.
They have juggled power between them and Australia has emerged a powerful and intelligent nation under their leadership.
After evaluating the above factors, it is clear that the partnership between Australia and Japan is of significant importance to both countries. With reference to the Centre for Study of Australian-Asian Relations (1997:152) the future prosperity of Australia will to an increasing extent, be dependent on that of her neighbours in the Asia-Pacific area. Currently the Australia-Japan relationship could be described as “comfortable and relaxed”. However both Australia and Japan need to be alert to the changing environment and must ensure that the right frameworks and policy settings are in place in order for the two countries to prosper.
In 1914, Australia joined the First World War. Although it was seen as a European war, the Australia government decided that Australia should support its 'Mother Country', Britain. The prime-minister at the time, Joseph Cook, stated Australia's position : "Whatever happens, Australia is a part of the Empire, right to the full. When the Empire is at war, Australia is at war." Many Australians objected to the country's involvement in the war, but the majority of the population agreed with the government's decision. Australia joined the war for many reasons, but two main reasons were :
There have been many unanswered questions in Australia about Aboriginal history. One of these is which government policy towards indigenous people has had the largest impact on Indigenous Australians? Through research the Assimilation Policy had the largest impact upon Indigenous Australians and the three supporting arguments to prove this are the Aborigines losing their rights to freedom, Aboriginal children being removed from their families, and finally the loss of aboriginality.
The only time Australia has come under direct attack from another country, was when Japan bombed Darwin and sunk a number of ships in Sydney, during World War 2. The question then has to be asked, why Australia has been involved in so many conflicts. A number of recent conflicts in this century come to mind, they include, The Boer War, World War One, World War Two and The Vietnam War. By far the conflict that drew the most outrage from Australian citizens was the Vietnam War. Australia has been drawn into these conflicts through a number of treaties and alliances made with other countries. Often it is not the conflicts that have drawn most outrage from Australian citizens, rather the insistence of other countries, for Australia to accept large numbers of post-war refugees.
In the nineteenth century, the “History wars” became the fight between the most prominent historians revolving around the deception of frontier conflict between the labor and coalition. The debate aroused from the different interpretations of the violence that took place during the European colonization and to what degree. It became a crisis in history, emerging from the dispossession of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (ATSI) that resulted in exclusion of their traditions and culture. The ATSI were the first people of Australia that brought along a different culture, language, kinship structures and a different way of life (Face the Facts, 2012). Post European colonization was a time where the ATSI people experienced disadvantage in the land they called home. With the paramount role as future educators, it demands proficient knowledge on the Australian history and one of the most influential moments in our history started from the first European settlers.
“The Vietnam War remains today to be one of the most memorable and long-standing conflicts in recent history in which the Australia’s involvement has played a huge role. This essay shall discuss and highlight certain points in the course of the development of the Vietnam War, from its impacts of the war on the Australian community and country, the participation Australia had and lastly, what roles did the church play during the war. The controversial Vietnam War had a huge impact on Australian society in the 1960’s/1970’s. It affected all aspects of society, such as the social, economic and political issues. Vietnam was known as a ‘TV War’. A lot of violent and gruesome footage of the war was broadcasted right into people’s homes. People
Our Connected World: Japan and Australia Japan and Australia have a complicated relationship, due to World War Two. Though in recent years Australia and Japan have both become good allies. Australia and Japans trade relationship has become greatly beneficial for both countries. Japans Tourism industry is also a huge bonus for the country. Japan and Australia’s Migration history extents a long way back, over 140 years ago.
Impact on Immigration Immigration is the movement of people from one country into another, primarily to become a resident for reasons including economic, social or personal factors. In the decade of 1940 during the end of World War II, the Prime Minister at the time, Ben Chifley established the federal department of immigration. The prime objection to the department was to administer the introduction of large scale immigration programs. 1945 Arthur Calwell, the first appointed minister for immigration promoted mass immigration, encouraging a 1 percent increase a year. In Australia's history we understand that immigration at the time were based on both political and economic objectives as there was raised concerns relating to the vulnerability
INTRODUCTION : a brief overview of the current situation regarding the security issue in the Pacific region
Australia has had one of the most outstanding economies of the world in recent years - competitive, open and vibrant. The nation’s high economic performance stems from effective economic management and ongoing structural reform. Australia has a competitive and dynamic private sector and a skilled, flexible workforce. It also has a comprehensive economic policy framework in place. The economy is globally competitive and remains an attractive destination for investment. Australia has a sound, stable and modern institutional structure that provides certainty to businesses. For long time, Australia is a stable democratic country with strong growth, low inflation and low interest rate.(Ning)
Both Australia and New Zealand have different values, laws, institutional frameworks and cultural traditions. Although it is important that all Indigenous traditions and values can be recognised.