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Prof. Murray Hunter | Sunday, October 28, 2012, 23:30 Beijing
1 Culture of Violence and Torture in the U.S.
14
Print 2 Electronic Voting Machines in US DESIGNED to
“STEAL Elections”

Australia in the “Asian Century” or is it Lost in Asia?
3 Why “Conspiracy” a Pejorative Term to Some Elites
Australia maintains a delusion of reality: China and the US –
The Australian dilemma. 4 When China Rules The World: The End Of The
Western World And The Birth Of A New Global Order
The Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard released a long
awaited white paper Australia in the Asian Century yesterday, 5 China’s Former Japan Envoy Accuses US of
which has been “wowed” by the Australian media. The white Exploiting Territorial Rows
paper basically affirms that Australia’s future lies with Asia and
6 Institutionalized State Assassinations and the
consequently immense economic opportunities exist for Australia
November 6 Election
to grab.
7 Lebanon’s Red lines, Bared: What a Difference a
The paper hinges the nation’s strategy of becoming a competitive Week Can Make in the Middle East
force within the region through skills development, innovation,
infrastructure, the tax system, regulatory reform, and 8 Dollar Will Collapse From Washington’s ABUSE of Its
environmental sustainability. However before a nation can become a competitive force, it must ROLE as Reserve Currency: China Will Defeat US

have an accepted place in the region. Without Arms Race

9 Nerve Gas and Phosphorous Bombs Reportedly Used
On this key strategy the White paper does little more than make a “rally call” to Australians to come
in USNATO-sponsored Destruction of Bani Walid:
out and make it happen.
War Crimes Continue

The paper also reeks of Austro-centrism where most of the points made in the document are
10 Sudanese Demonstrate Against Israeli Bombing in
written with the expectation that Australia will win out of closer ties with Asia without necessarily Khartoum: Tel Aviv suggests it was responsible for
giving much back in exchange – such as Australia having closer ties with Asian universities in order attacks on weapons factory
to attract students and skilled workers. Rather one-way to say the least.

The Australian China US relationships Video +MORE

Not surprisingly, the document still goes out to reaffirm Australia’s loyalty to the United States. This
could be seen as Premier Julia Gillard’s metaphoric statement of “all the way with LBJ”.

Historically the US is seen as a savior from invasion by the Japanese during WWII and
consequently there has been a total commitment from successive Australian governments through
the cold war until the present time for US foreign policy.

The ANZUS Treaty that embodied these commitments has brought many foreign policy mistakes to
Australia and probably cost Australia in South-East Asia its own persona of identity.

In addition, although Australia could be considered a rich multicultural society today, some people
in Asia still have a negative impression because of the old white Australia policy, treatment of France, Israel continue to lead push for

indigenous people, Pauline Hansen, and the latest policies on boat arrivals of asylum seekers. sanctions on Iran

‘Death and destruction in Bani Walid’ as media
In contrast, China is now so important to Australian trade, investment, and tourism, yet Australia is silent
unconsciously niggling China with its staunch loyalty to the US. China saved Australia from a deep
Bani Walid civilians bombed with gas – RT source
recession with demand for minerals whereas the US brought the Australian Government anguish
over the involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. VIDEO: 49 Rebels Killed in Sweeping Russian Anti-
Terror Op
In addition, it appears the US had a different rule to Australia than other allies. The Australian
VIDEO: Poisonous Cloud Sparks Mass Evacuation
Government has been expected to follow US foreign policy in an unquestionable manner.
After Kraft Foods Leak in Germany

Each Australian Prime Minister since Curtin has kowtowed to the US, seeking a close presidential VIDEO: Athens Police Fire Tear Gas in Crackdown
relationship in the belief that this was in the best domestic and foreign interests. Clashes at Anti-Merkel Protest

VIDEO: 4,000 tons of Shells Explode in Central
Russia, Leave Mushroom Cloud-like Plume of

http://www.4thmedia.org/2012/10/28/australia-in-the-asian-century-or-is-it-lost-in-asia-aus... 11/2/2012


Certainly a close personal relationship with the incumbent US president has been seen as Smoke
something of importance. Conversely, Kevin Rudd’s prowess at speaking Chinese was not good
enough to develop the relationship with China, as the relationship is much more complex than mere Photos +MORE
small talk.

China would prefer to deal with an Australia with a mature and independent foreign policy rather
than an enthusiastic supporter of US foreign policy. Precedent shows that China does not
necessarily expect blind allegiance but would like to see Australian decisions more in line with its
own realities rather than someone else’s.

However looking today at both major parties in Australian politics this is highly unlikely. In addition
the punishment dished out by the US Government to the David Lange Government in New Zealand
in the mid 1980s is a deep lesson about what happens to those disobedient to the US. 1 2 3 4

From the US perspective, Australia is a nice ally to have, one it can rely upon on the international Why “Conspiracy” a Pejorative Term to Some Elites

stage, which will be important as Australia takes up a temporary security council seat at the UN.

With the Obama visit to Canberra and Darwin last year and the stationing of troops in Australia, the Most Popular
country has some importance to the US until it can establish much more substantial bases closer to
1 Australia in "Asian Century" or Is It Lost in Asia?
China.
China & US: Australian Dilemma
China as an ally presents less of a dilemma than the US, as China has historically always allowed
2 US, "the second most dangerous nation after
some deviation from the official Chinese foreign policy. For example China does allow Australia
Israel," Secretly Deployed Nuclear Missiles to
and other nations to have a separate relationship with Taiwan, and different approaches to regional
OKINAWA Aimed at CHINA
issues without making these differences major issues.
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Maybe Australia can learn from the Indonesian approach of dynamic equilibrium, a doctrine where
innovative
Washington and Beijing would agree to co-exist rather than compete for supremacy in the region.
4 US Behind the DIAOYU Islands Dispute: To
Australia is also finding it difficult to accept that there are other views in the world other than the
Contain China, to Obstruct Renminbi from
occidental position on detente and human rights that it expects within the region. For example,
Becoming a International Currency
many Australians cannot understand why so many Chinese people so strongly support the position
of the Chinese Government on many issues like Tibet, and how people can accept a communist 5 Dollar Will Collapse From Washington's ABUSE of
system. Its ROLE as Reserve Currency: China Will Defeat
US Without Arms Race

6 DISTURBING & DEVELOPING: OBAMA
CAUGHT ARMING AL QAEDA, REASON FOR
LIBYA COVER-UP: "Benghazigate"

7 Nerve Gas and Phosphorous Bombs Reportedly
Used in USNATO-sponsored Destruction of Bani
Walid: War Crimes Continue

8 Scholars for 9-11 Truth: Exposing Falsehoods and
Revealing Truths

9 Unfolding Human Catastrophe in Iran: West's
Sanctions Could Lead to Another Humanitarian
Crisis in the Middle East

10 A "Dear Jon" Letter Jon Huntsman's Canceled
Visa

Australia’s relationship with the Asian Region



After decades of successive government foreign and trade policy, Australia still does not have any
embedded position within the Asian region. In fact Australia has been historically viewed as
occasionally condescending and arrogant towards the region with attitudes towards human rights,
where Australia’s own practices in matters like the detention of boat people are seen by some as
hypocritical.

The influence of Australian business and financial institutions in the region is minor, nowhere near
the critical mass needed to become a competitive force in the region. Australia at this time has only
a very low profile in the Asian banking and finance sector with no brands out there.

The only exception is in the mining sector, which to all intents and purposes has made the
Australian economy very dependent upon demand in Asia, particularly China.

Back in the 1990s the then Prime Minister Paul Keating stated that Australia is part of Asia and
together with the then foreign minister Gareth Evans made a concerted effort to embed Australia
within the region.

This had some positive effect with Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, and East Timor with Australian
policy working towards enhancing peace and prosperity within the region.

But they had their setbacks over the recalcitrant remarks about Malaysia’s former Premier Mahathir
Mohamed which soured relations with that country for a number of years. However perceptively, all
these gains were lost when John Howard came to power in 1996 reaffirming the Canberra-
Washington link, earning the label for Australia as the US’s deputy sheriff in the Asia.

The Australian relationship with the region is one where Australia needs the region more than the
region needs Australia. The Australian market is small compared to other markets and of little
interest to regional exporters who prefer to put their efforts into the larger markets of China, Japan,
EU, and the US. Other hubs in the region are more conducive to becoming corporate HQ hubs than
Sydney or Melbourne.

The only real interest Australia has for Asian investors been in rent seeking activities like real
estate. Australia is the gateway to nowhere, so cannot play the role as a hub like Singapore and
Hong Kong have successfully done. However the concept of Darwin as a gateway to Asia has been
formally recognized but it remains to be seen what will actually be done about it.

With the rapidly changing nature of the region and the shifting balance between the US and China
within Asia, the Austro-centric view of the region needs urgent revamping. The Australian economy
in the short and medium term is dependent upon China, and Australia perceives itself rightly or
wrongly to be dependent upon the US for security. Australia’s acceptance of the wide array of
Asian views within the region that Australia can one day become an equal partner in the region.

Though Australia has some deeply historical links with many parts of the region due to some heroic
actions of troops during the Second World War and the Malayan Emergency after that, tragically
these opportunities to further develop relationships were not capitalized upon, due to Australian
mesmerization with Washington.

White papers aside, it will be action and not words that are important and China and the region will
be surprised to see any real change, although the intention and realization of the need is present
within the foreign policy Australian agenda.

However with Australia, old habits die hard. And just as Julia Gillard had an unfortunate fall the
other week in India in front of the media, Australia also has a track record of falling over itself in
Asia.

It will take much more than a massive investment in skills and education to be able to engage the
Asian region, let alone be “competitive”. One of the paramount barriers Australia has to overcome
is the deep set belief that its own cultural values are not necessarily universally accepted across
the region.

It’s not about learning Asian languages but about understanding different points of view,
approaches, and ‘mindsets’. Austro-centrism must take a back seat in relationships around the
region for Australia to be seriously considered a member of the region. Currently it’s not.

The white paper is still haunted by Australia’s past. Maybe it’s time for Australia to release the US
security blanket a little and become a mature and independent nation within the Asian region.

However one fears with the promise of a rise in real incomes from the “Asian Century” initiative,
that the whole thing is just a pander to the domestic electorate. As the report itself aspires, Asia is



seen only as a means for Australian incomes to become one of the top 10 per-capita ones in the
world.

Rather, Ken Henry the principal author of the white paper appears to have placated the Australian
Government’s wishful thinking for a positivist instrument that can be sold to the electorate, which he
may have done well.

The White paper has turned it into a promissory note for a better future within Australia based upon
the misconception that internal capacity building will make Australia more competitive in Asia, being
too “fuzzy” about developing a real strategy to engage the region. Building up capacities are only
building capabilities. They are not strategies within themselves.

On initial reading of the 312 page report there appears to be little new in it, and one could argue
that existing ALP policy was used as a template. If this is correct then it will be difficult for this white
paper to garner bipartisan support, and maybe fated to become another relic of a former
government tossed out of office.

Presence and accommodation of Asia to what Australia really has to offer is the vital key. This
implies showing the region that an independent Australia is truly willing to put its lot in with Asia and
not with the US.

Asian suspicion may arise to the issue Ms Gillard herself talked about Australia being a winner in
Asia, and this implies there must be losers.

Its highly doubtful if anybody in the region is looking at Australia with any more interest today.

Prof. Murray Hunter

Tags: Asia Asian Century Australia China

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