Australia and Asia

Australia and Asia

There has been a wealth of correspondence published in The
Jakarta Post concerning the recent federal elections in Australia
and subsequent change of government from the ruling Australian
Labor Party under Paul Keating to the Liberal/National Coalition
under John Howard.

The majority of correspondence I feel has focused on potential
but unsubstantiated negative aspects of the change of government.
The underlying theme has been that a government under a
Liberal/National government and more specifically John Howard,
will focus more on internal issues at the expense of further
developing ties with Asia already initiated by Paul Keating.

As a small country (sparsely populated) Australia needs to
develop new economic ties as well as maintain old ones if it is
to survive economically, continue to develop and play an
important economic and political role internationally. This I
believe is the key not only for Australia but also Indonesia in
the future and begs the question: Is it bad that Australia wants
to maintain its ties with established trading partners as well as
establish new markets?

In light of the recent summit in Bangkok, Thailand, between
all the major Asian nations and European Economic Union leaders
the answer would have to be that part of the John Howard vision
for Australia is the same as that being developed by Australia's
Asian neighbors. Also, wouldn't the strong ties Australia already
has with the European markets be of benefit to Asian nations?

However it appears that Indonesia is special of John Howard's
commitment to Asia, primarily because in the publicity and
campaigning prior to the election Paul Keating tried to paint a
picture of John Howard as someone tied to Australia's past with
little interest in Asia. Australia under the Liberal/National
parties does not have a proud history of welcoming Asia nor does
the Australian Labor Party until the last four years of
government. Even during this time, under the leadership of Paul
Keating, Australia's relationship has had its ups and downs as
highlighted by, among other issues, our current relationship with
Malaysia and the dispute that arose over the appointment of Gen.
Mantiri as the Indonesian Ambassador to Australia.

Inadvertently I believe Paul Keating may have undone some of
his good work in developing Australia's relationship with Asia
during his election campaign by highlighting to Asia prejudices
and fears that do not exist in young Australians. As a result of
negative election campaigning by Paul Keating, John Howard will
have to work that much harder to convince Asia that he is
committed to the region. Australia needs and wants a strong
relationship with Indonesia and for this to develop this requires
both nations to forget history and focus on the future and
inevitably trust each other.

I have no reason to not believe John Howard when he says he
will continue to develop relationships with Asia. This is
paramount to John Howard being able to solve the internal
economic and social problems that exist in Australia. Criticisms
that Australia will be more inwardly focused, that it will not be
able to continue the vision of Keating and that Australia will
experience a withdrawal symptom from Asia are not giving credit
to the people mainly responsible for the developing relationship
between Asia and Australia -- the Australian People.

The only reason leaders of countries change is that they no
longer hold the respect of their people. Paul Keating no longer
held the respect of Australians. However, no one has lost respect
for the work he did in developing Asian relations and as such
Australians will dictate to John Howard that he must continue
this work, if he does not he will suffer the same fate as Paul
Keating. He will lose the respect of Australians and lose
government.

MATT FRAWLEY

Sydney, Australia