Doubts over Australia's Asian role<\/p>\n
Despite assurances from Australian Prime Minister-elect John
\nHoward that he will continue the country's business push into
\nAsia, Saturday's election result represents a mystery package for
\ndeveloping countries of the region, Thailand included.<\/p>\n
Mr. Howard's conservative coalition clobbered the ruling Labor
\nParty which is likely to lose 33 seats in the 148-seat House of
\nRepresentatives.<\/p>\n
\"It's just a fact of life that there is an immediacy and
\nthere's an opportunity about our relations with our region,\" Mr.
\nHoward told a press conference yesterday. \"I intend to maintain
\nthe momentum begun long ago by prime ministers on both sides of
\nthe political fence.\"<\/p>\n
The statement was consistent with promises made before the
\nelection. But it is not so consistent with a history of
\nstatements made during his Liberal Party's 13 years in
\nopposition.<\/p>\n
These include Mr. Howard's own controversial remarks in the
\n1980s about Asian immigration to Australia, for which he has
\nsince apologized.<\/p>\n
He has also criticized Mr. Keating's emphatic push into Asia,
\nbut now claims his past will not harm dealings in Asia and
\nexpects good relations with neighboring leaders.<\/p>\n
It is ironic that a major reason for Mr. Howard's win was that
\nhe was keen not to make mistakes and promised to continue many of
\nthe policies of the previous government, unlike predecessor John
\nHewson who made a muff of the 1992 election by promising radical
\nchanges.<\/p>\n
But it must be said that former Prime Minister Paul Keating
\nwas more sympathetic to Asia and considered APEC of utmost
\nimportance.<\/p>\n
Foreign Minister-designate Alexander Downer has discarded
\nAustralia's aim under Mr. Keating to become a part of Asia but
\nsaid stronger ties with Malaysia were a high priority.<\/p>\n
Mr. Howard will tread carefully, but unless he has been
\nsheltered through too many years in opposition, he must realize
\nthe critical importance of the emerging economic dynamos of
\nSoutheast Asia, particularly as other regions become more reliant
\non trade blocs under the changing face of globalization.<\/p>\n
It may take time before this region is given the same amount
\nof priority as it was under Mr. Keating and former Foreign
\nMinister Gareth Evans.<\/p>\n
But for Australia's sake, it would be unwise to waste too much
\ntime to realize where its future prosperity lies.<\/p>\n
If time is allowed to lapse, others will seize the
\nopportunities and Australia will be the only loser.<\/p>\n
-- The Bangkok Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/doubts-over-australias-asian-role-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }