Australia
A new path to dispute settlement
On 9 May, the United Nations Conciliation Commission (UNCC) concerning the Timor Sea dispute between Timor-Leste and Australia released its final report. This was the first…
Time for reason, not emotion, in the “China influence” debate
What’s at stake in the “China influence” debate? According to one view, China’s rise, if unchecked, will leave Australia a mere vassal state, while the United Front…
A study in controversy: Chinese students in Australia
According to the caricature in the popular media, Chinese international students in Australia are devoted agents of the Chinese Government. They are “brainwashed from birth” and,…
A stocktake of Australia’s China policy debate
Australia’s not-so-old tendency to avoid tension that could jeopardise our economic and trade relationship with China had the unfortunate effect of making China dismissive of…
Building a paved runway in Antarctica
The government has announced budget support for Australia’s first paved runway in its Antarctic territory, as part of a modernisation program for its Antarctic bases.
Of all the…
Missed opportunities in the internationalised university
With government investment in higher education continuing to decrease, Australian universities are becoming more and more financially reliant on international student fees. …
Banks misbehaving everywhere
The current Royal Commission into Australian finance is uncovering headline-grabbing malpractices which have scandalised the community. These deficiencies will prove costly to the…
Clamorous response to a Silent Invasion
An ill-fated business deal, a major corruption case, and protestations from Beijing about the visit of a dissident made the year 2009 something of an annus horribilis …
Australia’s Chinese ballistic missile problem
Late last year in Australia, there was sudden interest shown in ballistic missile defence (BMD). Although the driver was North Korea’s missile testing, the real issue is China.
…
Harry Harris and the ambassadorial absence
The news that US President Donald Trump has reassigned Admiral Harry Harris to Seoul from his expected posting to Canberra has brought forth a somewhat predictable bout of hair…