An Overview of Changing Attitudes in Australia towards the Asian-Pacific
Region.
Australian Attitudes to the Asian and Pacific Regions in 1900
 Economically and politically unimportant; little interaction except with some British
colonies and then from the colonisers point of view (civilise and/or exploit)
 Socially very different – “inferior” / excluded in Australian society
 Asia is perceived as one amorphous area; little knowledge or interest especially
outside the British sphere of influence.
 The Pacific Islands seen as either “romantic” or “primitive”; main link through the
churches where support missionaries civilising the natives or through trade and
plantations that exploit the native workforce.
 Foreign policy, investment and trade is based in the UK
 Australian priorities and emotional ties are strongly linked to Britain.
 Attitudes in Australia reflect its isolation and colonial status. The federation
movement in the 1890’s is based on the pioneer spirit, British heritage and
maintaining a “white” Australia.
Australian Attitudes to the Asian and Pacific Regions in 1945
 The main emotion towards Asia was a combination of fear and relief. WW2 forced
Australia out of isolation and to be more aware of the politics of the region. In 1949
fear of Japan was replaced with fear of China. This was increased during the Korean
War.
 Australia was a strong supporter of the United Nations and the process of
decolonisation in the Asian region.
 Trade and other economic relationships with Asia start to become important,
especially with the reconstruction of Japan and the resource needs of the Korean
War.
 Australia links it defence ties more with the USA during and after WW2. Defence ties
with the UK slowly become less important.
 Aid programs aimed at aiding economic development and establishing influence in
the Asian region begin.
 Australia returns to its restrictive immigration policy after WW2 and deports most
Asians given sanctuary during the war.
 Australia has its own colony in PNG and is not hurrying towards decolonisation.
Decolonisation is slower in much of the Pacific compared to Asia.
1975 -2000 A period of re-orienting Australia in the Asia-Pacific Region
 The end of the White Australia policy opens new trade, immigration, tourism and
investment links with Asia.
 Political engagement with China
 Peace keeping commitments in the region expand especially in East Timor, Solomon
Islands
 Law enforcement co-operation develops especially relating to drug smuggling,
people smuggling, sex trade and later terrorism.
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Political tensions with Fiji over military takeover, with Indonesia, with China –
particularly related to human rights
International students from Asia an important source of export income both with
students who come to Australia and Australian institutions operating in Asia.
Agreements over resource management eg. East Timor Gap treaty, fishing treaties,
IWC
Aid provision increasing both official and NGO’s
Australian Attitudes to the Asian and Pacific Regions in 2000
 Asia has become an important part of Australia’s world view. Most Australians are
reasonably knowledgeable about Asia, or part of Asia and stereotypes are not so
strong.
 Pacific remains peripheral. Close ties with NZ continue, the island states seen as
holiday destinations or “failed states” or both.
 Extensive trade links particularly with Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and New Zealand.
China’s economic importance to Australia is increasing.
 Growing investment and business links with SE Asia, especially since 1980’s with
increasing deregulation of the Australian economy. Australian business increasingly
moving high labour input businesses to Asian or Pacific states and importing goods
back into Australia. Service links also growing with communications technology and
increasing globalisation of business.
 Immigration links since 1975. Vietnamese background becomes one of the largest
ethnic groups in Australia, by late 1990’s China the third most important source of
migrants. Increasing migration of South Pacific islanders, especially Polynesians, into
Australia via New Zealand. Cultural, sporting, and investment links grow with second
and third generation migrants
 Illegal immigration becoming an increasing issue. Illegal boat arrivals mainly from
Asia via Indonesia. Mandatory detention of illegal migrants introduced in the early
1990’s.
 Defence ties and peacekeeping commitments focus on Asia and the Pacific region.
Close ties with US remain but increasing training role for neighbouring countries like
Indonesia and involvement in “war games” with several Asian countries.
 Police co-operation increasingly important in the region relating to drug smuggling
and the sex trade. Some cooperation on terrorism, Australian forensic skills in
natural disasters. Limited cooperation re people smuggling as not illegal in most
Asian countries. Seen as an Australian problem.
 Australia becomes involved in, or initiates, an increasing number of multinational
organisations both government and non government. Economic alliances such as
APEC; economic and political alliances such as G20 and Pacific Islands Forum;
environmental treaties relating to fishing and whaling, forestry and global warming.
Australia remains one of the major UN supporters in the region. Australia gains
observer status at ASEAN after much resistance from some Asian countries,
particularly Malaysia, to any role by Australia.
 Sporting links increased – Australia joins Asia in the world soccer regions.
 Development aid – Australia is the major aid providing nation in the Pacific with
significant aid, especially disaster aid to Asia. Support for Asia Development Bank.
Australian NGO aid agencies concentrate many of their operations in the Asian
Pacific region.
2011
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Growing economic importance of China (saved us from the GFC?); China main
source of overseas students studying in Australia; China second most important
source of migrants to Australia
Rapidly growing economic and migrant links with India especially in service
industries such as phone help lines and with increasing numbers of Indian students
studying in Australia.
Growing concerns about illegal boat arrivals led to Pacific solution (Nauru) followed
by Christmas Island detention centre and discussions about a regional processing
centre in East Timor and then Malaysia. Pressure on the Indonesian government to
make people smuggling illegal and detain potential boat people in Indonesia.
Concerns about terrorism and terrorist training in Iraq and Afghanistan part of the
reason for becoming involved in wars there. Greater training and cooperation with
Indonesian police re terrorism and increased educational aid to Indonesia to reduce
the conditions that breed terrorism.
Increased disaster aid to the region.
Poor relationships with Fiji, Australia leading the push to have Fiji expelled from the
Commonwealth.
Poor relations with PNG over corruption and governance.
Pacific guest worker program to provide seasonal farm work in Australia
The Future??
 Increasing globalisation and rapid economic development in parts of Asia make
Australia more economically linked to and dependent on Asia. (The Asian Century)
 China’s economic growth could potentially upset US political influence and Australia
needs to be not seen as too close to the US if this happens. Australia’s political links
with Asia need to develop in importance and become more flexible in this rapidly
changing area – not to be seen as a British or US outpost by Asian leaders.
 Social/ tourism and cultural links with Asia and to a lesser extent the Pacific are
expected to continue to grow as the region develops economically and as a result of
the migration of large communities from various Asian/Pacific areas to Australia.
 Defence alliances are likely to continue to become more focussed on the Asian
region especially through peacekeeping and training roles, but the US alliance will
continue.
 Growth in Islamic fundamentalism, especially in Indonesia, could pose a direct threat
to Australia. Concerns about “home grown” terrorism.
 Selection of migrants – more highly skilled, more educated. Concerns in some Asian
countries about a “brain drain” to Australia.
 More temporary migrants to meet labour shortages in Australia. Strongly supported
by business, less social support.
 Pacific guest workers likely to grow.
 Continued issues relating to outsourcing, shifting production offshore, productivity,
flexibility in a global workplace and the effects on Australian workers.


Illegal migration a continuing issue – both boat arrivals and overstayers. Little
political agreement about how to approach this. Can tend to create a general antimigrant climate in the society.
Environment issues becoming more important especially as relates to climate
change, deforestation, biodiversity and overfishing.
Portfolio Task 3
Based on these notes, the class discussion and you own knowledge
write approximately 500 words on how Australia’s attitude to, and
relations with, the Asia Pacific region have changed over the past
century.
Australian Attitudes to the Asian and Pacific Regions in 1900
Economically and politically unimportant; little interaction except with some British
colonies and then from the colonisers point of view (civilise and/or exploit)
Socially very different – “inferior” / excluded in Australian society
Asia is perceived as one amorphous area; little knowledge or interest especially
outside the British sphere of influence.
The Pacific Islands seen as either “romantic” or “primitive”; main link through the
churches where support missionaries civilising the natives or through trade and
plantations that exploit the native workforce.
Foreign policy, investment and trade is based in the UK
Australian priorities and emotional ties are strongly linked to Britain.
Attitudes in Australia reflect its isolation and colonial status. The federation
movement in the 1890’s is based on the pioneer spirit, British heritage and
maintaining a “white” Australia.
Australian Attitudes to the Asian and Pacific Regions in 1945
The main emotion towards Asia was a combination of fear and relief. WW2 forced
Australia out of isolation and to be more aware of the politics of the region. In 1949
fear of Japan was replaced with fear of China. This was increased during the
Korean War.
Australia was a strong supporter of the United Nations and the process of
decolonisation in the Asian region.
Trade and other economic relationships with Asia start to become important,
especially with the reconstruction of Japan and the resource needs of the Korean
War.
Australia links it defence ties more with the USA during and after WW2. Defence
ties with the UK slowly become less important.
Aid programs aimed at aiding economic development in the Asian region begin.
Australia returns to its restrictive immigration policy after WW2 and deports most
Asians given sanctuary during the war.
Australia has its own colony in PNG and is not hurrying towards decolonisation.
Decolonisation is slower in much of the Pacific compared to Asia.
1975 -2000 A period of re-orienting Australia in the Asia-Pacific Region
Australian Attitudes to the Asian and Pacific Regions in 1945
The main emotion towards Asia was a combination of fear and relief. WW2 forced
Australia out of isolation and to be more aware of the politics of the region. In 1949
fear of Japan was replaced with fear of China. This was increased during the
Korean War.
Australia was a strong supporter of the United Nations and the process of
decolonisation in the Asian region.
Trade and other economic relationships with Asia start to become important,
especially with the reconstruction of Japan and the resource needs of the Korean
War.
Australia links it defence ties more with the USA during and after WW2. Defence
ties with the UK slowly become less important.
Aid programs aimed at aiding economic development in the Asian region begin.
Australia returns to its restrictive immigration policy after WW2 and deports most
Asians given sanctuary during the war.
Australia has its own colony in PNG and is not hurrying towards decolonisation.
Decolonisation is slower in much of the Pacific compared to Asia.
1975 -2000 A period of re-orienting Australia in the Asia-Pacific Region
Australian Attitudes to the Asian and Pacific Regions in 2000
Asia has become an important part of Australia’s world view. Most Australians are
reasonably knowledgeable about Asia, or part of Asia and stereotypes are not so
strong.
Pacific remains peripheral. Close ties with NZ continue, the island states seen as
holiday destinations or “failed states” or both.
Extensive trade links particularly with Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and New
Zealand. China’s economic importance to Australia increasing.
Growing investment and business links especially since 1980’s with increasing
deregulation of the Australian economy. Australian business increasingly moving
high labour input businesses to Asian or Pacific states and importing goods back into
Australia. Service links also growing with communications technology and
increasing globalisation of business.
Immigration links since 1975. Vietnamese background becomes one of the largest
ethnic groups in Australia, by late 1990’s China the third most important source of
migrants. Increasing migration of South Pacific islanders, especially Polynesians,
into Australia via New Zealand.
Illegal immigration becoming an increasing issue. Illegal boat arrivals mainly from
Asia via Indonesia. Mandatory detention of illegal migrants introduced in the early
1990’s.
Defence ties and peacekeeping commitments focus on Asia and the Pacific region.
Close ties with US remain but increasing training role for neighbouring countries like
Indonesia and involvement in “war games” with several Asian countries.
Police co-operation increasingly important in the region relating to drug smuggling
and the sex trade.
Australia becomes involved in or initiates an increasing number of multinational
organisations both government and non government. Economic alliances such as
APEC; economic and political alliances such as G20 and Pacific Islands Forum;
environmental treaties relating to fishing and whaling, forestry and global warming.
Australia remains one of the major UN supporters in the region. Australia gains
observer status at ASEAN after much resistance from some Asian countries to any
role by Australia.
Development aid – Australia is the major aid providing nation in the Pacific with
significant aid, especially disaster aid to Asia. Support for Asia Development Bank.
NGO aid agencies concentrate many of their operations in the Asian Pacific region.
2011
Growing economic importance of China (saved us from the GFC?)
China main source of overseas students studying in Australia
China second most important source of migrants to Australia
Rapidly growing economic and migrant links with India especially in service
industries such as phone help lines and with increasing Indian students studying in
Australia.
Growing concerns about illegal boat arrivals led to Pacific solution (Nauru) followed
by Christmas Island detention centre and discussions about a regional processing
centre in East Timor. Pressure on the Indonesian government to make people
smuggling illegal and detain potential boat people in Indonesia.
Concerns about terrorism and terrorist training in Iraq and Afghanistan part of the
reason for becoming involved in wars there. Greater training and cooperation with
Indonesian police re terrorism and increased education aid to Indonesia to reduce
the conditions that breed terrorism.
Increased disaster aid to the region.
Poor relationships with Fiji, Australia leading the push to have Fiji expelled from the
Commonwealth. Poor relations with PNG over corruption and governance.
Pacific guest worker program
The Future??
Increasing globalisation and rapid economic development in parts of Asia make
Australia more economically linked and dependent on Asia.
China’s economic growth could potentially upset US political influence and Australia
needs to be not seen as too close to the US if this happens
Australia’s political links with Asia need to develop in importance and become more
flexible in this rapidly changing area – not to be seen as a British or US outpost by
Asian leaders.
Social/ tourism and cultural links with Asia and to a lesser extent the Pacific are
expected to continue to grow as an result of the migration of large communities from
these areas to Australia
Defence alliances are likely to continue to become more focussed on the Asian
region especially through peacekeeping and training roles but the US alliance will
continue.
Growth in Islamic fundamentalism, especially in Indonesia, could pose a direct threat
to Australia. Concerns about “home grown” terrorism.
Selection of migrants – more highly skilled, more educated. Concerns in some Asian
countries about a “brain drain” to Australia.
More temporary migrants to meet labour shortages in Australia. Strongly supported
by business, less social support. Pacific guest workers likely to grow. Continued
issues in other areas on affects on Australian workers.
Illegal migration a continuing issue – both boat arrivals and overstayers. Little
political agreement about how to approach this. Can tend to create a general antimigrant climate in the society.
Environment issues becoming more important especially as relates to climate
change, deforestation, biodiversity and overfishing.
LINKS WITH THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION after 1975
LINKS WITH THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION after 1975
 Increasing bi lateral trade and tourism
 Increasing investment by Australian companies in Asia and the Pacific and
increasing investment in Australia by Asian companies
 Increasing number of migrants from a range of Asian and Pacific countries
and greater cultural and economic links with second and third generation
migrants.
 Peace keeping commitments continuing especially in East Timor, Solomon
Islands
 Law enforcement co-operation over drug smuggling, people smuggling, sex
trade and terrorism.
 Political tensions with Fiji over military takeover, with Indonesia, with China –
particularly related to human rights
 Sporting links increased – Australia joins Asia in the world soccer regions.
 International students from Asia an important source of export income both
with students who come to Australia and Australian institutions operating in
Asia.
 Regional groupings such as APEC and the Pacific Forum that Australia had a
founding role in and a strong continuing interest
 Tensions over actions and reactions to climate change
 Increasing numbers of temporary workers from Asia to meet skill shortages in
Australia and increasing numbers of Australians working in Asia
 Pilot program of temporary unskilled workers from Pacific Islands to meet
labour shortages in agriculture to begin later this year.
 Agreements over resource management eg. East Timor Gap treaty, fishing
treaties, IWC
 Aid provision both official and NGO’s
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