Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

A good week for Australia in the Pacific

By Jeffrey Wall - posted Friday, 15 July 2022


This has been a good week for Australia in the Pacific, coinciding with the Prime Minister's attendance at the Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji.

Before I elaborate on the positives there are a couple of negatives that deserve a dishonourable mention.

At the very time China is trying to split the forum, and undermining Australia's role as a good regional leader, the New Zealand Prime Minister doesn't want our island neighbours to be "coerced" into taking sides!

Advertisement

What planet is she living on? China is pushing our neighbours to align with China especially when it comes to military activity, and of course trade.......all heavily in China's favour especially when it comes to forestry, fisheries and minerals.

She is effectively saying we should continue to pour aid into the region to countries already aligned with China and all the strings attached to that. And we should not be lobbying our neighbours to reject China's dangerous "proposals".

Is it any wonder her approval and that of her left-wing government are on the slide?

New Zealand has a key role to play in securing stability in our region. It can't do that if it follows the advice of its Prime Minister!

Then there was an amazingly foolish intervention from the low-profile Australian Minister for the Pacific, Pat Conroy. Speaking in Fiji he offered the view that the Australian construction sector was open to partnering with China's construction companies in the Pacific.

If that was contained in the brief he received from the Office of the Pacific then it's time that office was cleaned out as well!

Advertisement

As I have written about on a number of occasions the Australian construction Industry has been devastated in PNG, along with the local construction operators who China totally bypasses. That has also happened in the Solomon Islands where China has ruthlessly crushed the local construction sector.

Despite overwhelming evidence the Minister has put forward a thought bubble the Chinese must today be laughing at.

The problem with such loose talk by a responsible member is the signal it sends to the region and. In every country where China dominates construction in particular, that rather than resist China's heavy handed intervention Canberra is prepared to join it!

Fortunately, the Minister has been low profile leaving the running on regional issues with Senator Penny Wong and the Prime Minister! Could he kindly resume his low profile?

Now for the good news!

Firstly, the announcement that the United States will significantly lift its profile and spending in the region.isoverdue and welcome. I have long advocated it and it will be welcomed by the Federal Government.

It will infuriate China of course and if it is implemented in a careful way it can contribute to lessening China's influence or at least slowing its growth.

The US announcement comes on the eve of a significant diplomatic event......The arrival in Australia of the new US Ambassador, Caroline Kennedy, arguably the best connected diplomat any US administration has sent to Australia.

One hopes she might provide regional leadership beyond the domestic role representing the USA in Canberra.

Australia needs to help ensure the US engages even more substantially with the region. Australia can help the US keep the right focus.

The other good news this week is that the deal for Telstra to buy Digicel has been finalised, and past all regulatory requirements.

This is a good deal. It is in the Australian national Interest. It puts our largest Telco in the box seat to guide the growth of telecommunications.

This purchase is costing Australia one way or another over a billion! It will cost more as aspects of Digicel's services and infrastructure need investment.

China won't be happy with the purchase being concluded - and we should expect it to respond in time.

But this is an important advance in our regional telecommunications engagement.

Overall a good week for Australia!!

 

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

16 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Jeffrey Wall CSM CBE is a Brisbane Political Consultant and has served as Advisor to the PNG Foreign Minister, Sir Rabbie Namaliu – Prime Minister 1988-1992 and Speaker 1994-1997.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Jeffrey Wall

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 16 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy