Topic 8: Australia’s relationship with Asia and the South Pacific Region (1945–  )

The post-1945 political and economic landscape in Asia and/or the South Pacific was one of change. This encouraged Australia to engage more fully with the region to further its national interests, pursuing policies that responded to perceived threats and new opportunities. Evolving relationships resulted in both conflict and cooperation.

Students investigate the following key areas with specific reference to Australia’s relationship with Asia and the South Pacific. Students may choose to focus on Australia’s relationship with one or more countries, or one or both regions, or a comparison of Australia’s relationships with two or more countries.

The following are focus areas for study in this topic:

• the region post-1945
• Asia
• the South Pacific
• domestic responses.

The region post-1945 

• A brief overview of the economic and political landscape of the region at the end of the Second World War. 
• Exploration of Australia’s changing national interests and concern for perceived threats and challenges. 
• Australia’s foreign policy; and Australia’s engagement with, and influence in, the region.

Asia

• Australia’s responses to perceived threats in the region. Examples include the rise of communism and the Vietnam War; and the reconstruction of post‑war Japan.
• Australia’s economic needs, attitudes, and priorities. Examples include Australia’s approaches to trade and tourism.
• Australia’s response to the region’s needs, attitudes, and priorities that were not aligned with its own.
• Australia’s policies and actions, including regional alliances and forums. Examples include the direction, amount, and conditions of overseas aid; peacekeeping forces in East Timor; and the diplomatic recognition of new nations.

The South Pacific

• Challenges and responses. Examples include environmental issues, regional development, disasters, incidents, political instability, nuclear testing, peacekeeping, and flows of people.
• Australia’s economic needs, attitudes, and priorities. Examples include trade and tourism.
• Regional needs, attitudes, and priorities. Examples include environmental concerns, such as loss of coral reefs, over-fishing, global warming; independence movements; and economic development.
• Australia’s policies and actions, including regional alliances and forums. Examples include relationships with Papua-New Guinea, Fiji, and New Zealand; and the direction, amount, and conditions of overseas aid.

Domestic responses

• The end of the White Australia Policy and the adoption of multiculturalism.
• The changing nature and direction of Australian trade, investments, and engagement. Examples include broadcasting; sporting and cultural exchanges; and the Colombo Plan.