The protection the US offers is less absolute — and far less reassuring — than Australian government rhetoric often implies. It’s time to stop pretending otherwise.
- Adjunct Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland
The Dayton Accords were not perfect. But they stopped the Bosnian war, enabled accountability for atrocities, and offered millions the chance to rebuild their lives.
The new treaty will recognise PNG as a nation that makes its own strategic decisions, and ensure Australia is a partner that shows up and stays the course.
PNG naturally has its own understanding of history, as well as today’s security environment. But we shouldn’t underestimate the importance of the second world war to the PNG-Australia relationship.
Since its early history, Australia has seen the Pacific as a vast, empty region where foreign powers threatened its security. This focus has undermined our effectiveness in the region.
This week has shown Australia’s partners have come to understand they cannot leave it to Australia alone to carry the democratic standard in the Pacific.
In 2021-22, nearly 16,000 Australians turned to an overseas mission for help in “crisis cases” – more than triple the number before the pandemic.
The security treaty signed last week is the logical next step in the two countries’ relationship. But Australia’s interests in PNG should remain broad-based.
Women candidates in PNG often lack support and funding, but increasing women’s political participation could lead to more equality and greater democracy
The Pacific will remain a priority, no matter which party wins the election. But there could be subtle differences in tone and priorities.
A truly mature relationship requires high levels of public participation and awareness, and this is what needs work with our northern neighbour.
In Fiji, 95% of adults have received one jab and 80% are fully vaccinated. In PNG, however, less than 1% of the population is fully vaccinated – and the country is giving away its vaccines.
Our neighbour’s stability and prosperity is in our interests. Surely, there can be no better example of this than the current crisis: what is good for PNG is also good for Australia.
The pandemic is an important moment for regional partners to show their commitment to the Pacific. And so far, China hasn’t matched its pledges with enough action.
China made a huge splash in PNG in late 2018 with infrastructure investments and loan pledges. But since then, it has struggled to make inroads due, in part, to anti-Chinese sentiment.
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