Engaging Asia from down under: Australia's security policy in Asia

Abstract

The paper discusses the transformation of Australia's security policy towards Asia, in particular to its Southeast Asian neighbours. In the last decade Australia's strategic landscape has changed rapidly with the threat of terrorism and concerns about the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), in addition to the pre-existing traditional security concerns. Australia's security policy has many dimensions and comprises of a number of complementary elements such as strong alliances and bilateral relationships, a versatile military capability and emphasis on regional cooperation. Australia recognizes that its national security interests are directly linked to the security and stability of the Asian region, in particular with its immediate neighbours in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific. Therefore, successfully engaging the region has become a necessary initiative in ensuring its own survival and security. Therefore this paper will examine Australia's security policy towards Asia with special emphasis on (i) the security relations between Asia and Australia during John Howard and Kevin Rudd administrations, and (ii) Australia's initiative in engaging the region through regional security processes like ASEAN, APEC and ARF.