Media
New home affairs department seems to be more about politics than reform
It is difficult not to give in to cynical impulses over Tuesday’s announcement that the government will create a department of home affairs. Described as a “federation of border and security...
Missile defence for Australia? Expensive and probably not wise
Following the most recent tests by North Korea of a missile that might be able to hit Alaska, the prospect of a direct threat to Australia from the Kim regime is exciting the Australian defence...
Time for a shield wall?
North Korea’s test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) last week has many concerned that the crisis on the Korean Peninsula is entering a new and dangerous phase. The Australian media has...
How popular culture gets Australian spy work wrong
The cloak-and-dagger exploits of characters like James Bond and Jason Bourne have shaped our cultural idea of spy work. But these films, made mostly in the US and UK, have little to do with the...
CSIRO cooperation with Chinese defence contractor should raise questions
In April 2017 a joint centre for advanced science and technology research was launched at the University of Technology, Sydney. The partner and funder is the China Electronics Group Corporation (CETC...
Shangri-La Dialogue should address Asia's new strategic order
Each year, the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore provides a platform for Washington to affirm America’s strategic commitment to Asia, promote its policies to strengthen United States regional...
China's brazen diplomatic stunt
Shouting down a host country’s Indigenous welcome to country ceremony is diplomacy gone mad. While this may not be the most detailed analytical description of what transpired in Perth on 1 May...
Different Paths to a Common Goal: Enhancing Canada-Australia Collaboration in Asia
Australia and Canada have been described as “strategic cousins” – two countries with much in common in terms of their foreign policy interests. Both are federal bicameral Westminster-style...
Australia must reshape links with China
The week’s events aside, Australia and China have never had such a promising relationship as today. Chinese tourists are the largest group of visitors from abroad and the biggest foreign spenders in...
Bishop's doctrine of denial is no foreign policy future
Julie Bishop is anxious about Asia. She worries about intensifying economic competition as too many workers in rising economies chase too few consumers elsewhere. And she worries about intensifying...