Asia back on Australia political agenda

Asia back on Australia political agenda

SYDNEY (AFP): The government has again dragged the country's relationship with Asia onto the domestic political agenda, saying an ability to strengthen Australia's bond with its neighbors was a leadership requirement.

Trade Minister Bob McMullan, addressing the Federation for Asian Cultural Promotion Conference on Saturday, said an ability to deepen Australia's relationship with Asian nations was a defining requirement for national leadership in the coming decade.

And he questioned the ability of the head of the conservative opposition, John Howard, to provide this leadership.

"What possible confidence can anyone have in John Howard's ability to lead Australia's engagement with Asia when he shirks the responsibility to engage the Australian people in any meaningful way about the future he proposes for us?" McMullan said.

The ruling Labor party faces an election by May and both parties are keen to air their pro-Asia credentials in the run up to the polls.

Labor MP Graeme Campbell was sacked this year after publicly disagreeing with his party's policies on immigration, and he has now threatened to form an anti-immigration party for election to the upper house Senate.

McMullan said Australia's engagement with Asia was an outcome of geographical reality rather than an attempt to create a new identity for itself.

But the relationship was an important influence on the evolution of Australia's identity, he added.

"We have continued to evolve as a nation and we must continue to do so," he said.

He said that to use these forces of change in a way that contributed to national well being and social cohesion required a consistent vision of Australia and its place in the world.

It also required an honest and committed effort to articulate this vision and find acceptance for it in Australia, he added.