Denise Fisher
Biography
Publications
Denise Fisher is a Visiting Fellow at ANU's Centre for European Studies. Denise was an Australian diplomat for thirty years, serving in Australian diplomatic missions as a political and economic policy analyst in Rangoon, Nairobi, New Delhi, Kuala Lumpur and Washington DC before being appointed Australian High Commissioner in Harare (1998-2001), accredited to Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Angola and Malawi; then Australian Consul-General in Noumea, New Caledonia (2001-2004). She is the author of France in the South Pacific: Power and Politics (2013).
![New Caledonia: boycotts and blockade](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/36750019614_8ecc418752_k.jpg?itok=gZcF7WgK)
New Caledonia: boycotts and blockade
Divisions have marred preparations for the November independence referendum despite effort to seed habits of dialogue.
![New Caledonia: dangerous games](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/31903716395_24d3eff2a7_kmini.jpg?itok=ikbFTuKu)
New Caledonia: dangerous games
Some local leaders are putting short-term political gain ahead of constructive participation in a referendum process.
![French choreography in the Pacific](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/DcbWEpbW0AAwQXh.jpg-large.jpeg?itok=PudHOfuL)
French choreography in the Pacific
Emmanuel Macron’s visit to New Caledonia affirmed the territory as the jewel of French possessions.
![Sensitivities flare in New Caledonia](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2202362590_fe9e490eab_o-mini.jpg?itok=eh5fLJzs)
Sensitivities flare in New Caledonia
Emmanuel Macron will visit New Caledonia in May, amid increased tension as the territory’s November deadline for an independence referendum nears.
![New Caledonia: the future takes shape](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/16534631429_444358de39_k.jpg?itok=-bC5eKIW)
New Caledonia: the future takes shape
Momentous discussions are underway to determine the future of Australia's closest eastern neighbour.
![The two faces crucial to New Caledonia’s final referendum](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/New%20Caledonia%20ISS-TakuyaOnishi%20%2808-17-16%29.jpg?itok=y6UAoy1D)
The two faces crucial to New Caledonia’s final referendum
The conduct of the referendum raises uncertainties and the prospect of a return to instability right on Australia’s doorstep.
![French parliamentary vote mainly good news for New Caledonia](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/New_Caledonia_-_Envisat-crop.jpg?itok=-FWg5GiM)
French parliamentary vote mainly good news for New Caledonia
Both of the successful candidates referred to the need for unity among all loyalists and for dialogue with independence groups.
![French Presidential election: Implications for Australia’s closest French neighbour](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/Noumea.jpg?itok=sTzJ-2dP)
French Presidential election: Implications for Australia’s closest French neighbour
Given Macron’s lack of experience, French officials who know New Caledonia will need to continue to mediate this final phase of the Noumea Accord.
![France’s Pacific territories are watching the election too](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/cropped%20noumea.jpg?itok=Z-crtn7O)
France’s Pacific territories are watching the election too
The results of the first round of the French Presidential elections create new uncertainties for the French Pacific, particularly in New Caledonia.