Australia foreign policy white paper 1

AUSTRALIA FOREIGN POLICY WHITE PAPER

Student’s name

Professor’s name

Course title

Date
 Australia foreign policy white paper 2

Australia foreign policy white paper

The ministry of foreign affairs developed a comprehensive strategy to deal

with the international community. The white paper outlines key themes relating to

geopolitics, economics and other international agenda that directly affects the

Australians. The genesis of the paper stems from the coalition’s government clamor to

develop a new policy after re-election in 2016 (McDougall, 2018, p. 280). The white

paper addresses the potential issues that could arise in the Indo-Pacific region. At the

same time, the white paper highlights its commitment to promote a prosperous Indo-

Pacific region. Among the key themes is the maintenance of peace of within Australia

and in the region (McDougall, 2018, p. 280). Australia focuses on partnering with the

United States (USA) to promote peace and economic affairs. This paper will analyze

the strengths and weaknesses of the 2017 foreign policy white paper.

Strengths

The state of the world economy has profound influence on Australia’s

domestic issues. The paper points out the risks of economic nationalism and

protectionism that could limit regional prosperity (Gyngel,2018, p.8).The 2017 policy

paper emphasizes on placing the country’s interest first over foreign input. The

government will continue to consider national interest when reviewing foreign

investment proposals (2017 Foreign, 2017, p. 14). The Australian government values

skilled immigrant labor but will balance their interest with the country’s to ensure that

locals are employed. This measure ensures that ordinary citizens get jobs and

foreigners also have a chance to migrate into the county and contribute to the

economy. Jobs create wealth and helps people meet the cost of living (2017 Foreign,

2017, p. 14). Having a working nation avails goods and services to the people and

helps to grow the economy through taxes.

 Australia foreign policy white paper 3

The white paper aims to foster international cooperation and seeking

alternative ways to resolve conflicts that will not trigger a crisis. Australia recognizes

the potential of China to become a superpower in the future and have more influence

in the world. The paper calls for the easing of tension that could disrupt other global

trading activities (McDougall, 2018, p. 282). The role of other development partners

like Japan, Indonesia and India are recognized as beneficial to the country.In the

paper, Australia champions for the regulation of Chinese activities in the East China

sea and Taiwanese strip. The good relations fostered with China enables Australia to

engage in mutual investment projects (Medcalf, 2019, p.110).The paper aims at soft

balance where it maintains good relations with China and cooperates with the U.S on

many global issues.

Australia has championed for maximizing economic opportunities to bring

prosperity to her people. Australia advocates for globalization and open international

economy free from tariffs and barriers (McDougall, 2018, p. 282).The country

envisions itself as a crucial member of G20 and International Monetary Fund.

Autralia has shown its commitment to global economy by entering into bilateral and

multilateral free-trade agreements. After Brexit, Australia aims to sign a trade

agreement with the United Kingdom (McDougall, 2018, p. 282). The trade

agreements offer opportunities for Australia to trade and create jobs for her people.

Security issues dominate the agenda on the white paper. Issues of terrorism

that have threatened not only Australia but also the global community. The paper

highlights the country’s commitment to obey international rules that supports the fight

against terrorism (McDougall, 2018, p. 282). Cybersecurity has been highlighted as

one of the threats to Australian security.Australia aims to promote security

cooperation to tackle transnational crime, border protection and maritime security.

 Australia foreign policy white paper 4

Australia also purposes to cooperate with other nations to curb biosecurity issues

(Dixon,2017, p.278) . Australia champions for joint efforts to fight Islamic terrorism

in Asia by deploying its military to the troubled countries (Oliver, 2017, p. 13). The

policy however avoids waging war or engaging in military conflicts with China and

Russia.

Weaknesses

Australia’s emphasis of fostering ties with the U.S will be detrimental in the

long run when China takes over the global economy as a superpower. The U.S.A

power is declining globally and the paper does not put more emphasis on fostering

ties with Asian countries (Bateman, 2017, p.3). The paper recognizes that China is

likely to become a superpower but does not address how the country is prepared to

handle China (Reilly, 2020, p. 121). Australia’s skepticism about China’s activities is

bound to harm bilateral trade agreements between the two countries and Australia

stands to lose a trade partner. Australia foreign policy does not have a national

identity that it aligns with to help it develop its systems to be devoid of external

influence (Sanyal, 2019, p.3). To ease the tensions between China and the U.S, the

paper did not encourage cooperation and reconcilliation between the two to solve the

existing trade issues . The paper rides on hope that America will come to restore

Australia’s former glory (In Brief, 2017, p.1, ; Gyngel, 2018, p.7). The policy fails to

acknowledging America’s dwindling influence that is bound to be irreversible

China has been working to restore stability in the Antarctic region but

Australia seems to sideline it and remain skeptical about its activities. Australia

should continue to work with China on Antarctic science and help the two countries

build trust (Liu, 2019, p. 127). The move could foster trust between the two countries.

The country has also side stepped the North Korea issue that could pause a serious
 Australia foreign policy white paper 5

security threat to Australia should they choose to attack Australia. The paper openly

sidelines North Korea due to dangerous behavior. The new policy gives the U.S

military more access to the region (Bateman, 2017, p.3; Tidwell,2017,p.187). This

move could bring resentment from other countries and fuel regional tension.

In conclusion, the white paper’s strengths are based on the country’s desire to

improve the economy. Security issues have been addressed internally and externally .

Australia has demonstrated its commitment to collaborate with other nations through

trade treaties. However, the paper places too much emphasis on collaborating with

America despite its waning influence. The paper views events happening at South

China sea as problematic but does not recognize the efforts made to improve the

situation. The volatile situation between America and China could further jeopardize

the country’s present and future prosperity.

 Australia foreign policy white paper 6

References

2017 Foreign policy white paper, 2017. Australian Government.

https://www.dfat.gov.au/sites/default/files/2017-foreign-policy-white-

paper.pdf

AIIA researchers, 2017. In Brief: Foreign Policy White Paper.

https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/issue-white-paper/

Bateman, S., 2017. Australia’s Foreign Policy White Paper: Dealing with Uncertainty,

27.11. https://dr.ntu.edu.sg/bitstream/10356/86565/1/CO17225.pdf

Dixon, T., 2019. Mapping the potential impact of synthetic biology on Australian

foreign policy. Australian Journal of International Affairs, 73(3), pp.270-288.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10357718.2019.1584154?

casa_token=efLiXuCBFV4AAAAA:XVAm3QfAGK70wICysMVZWvxuWl

VAOjvLcFUHdBPhnC0uHhcb8DHSHLEf-MpZm8-

kP03Hf0VK2A9W6FFOUw

Gyngell, A., 2018. The Uncertainty Principle: The 2017 Australian Foreign Policy

White Paper in Historical Context. Security Challenges, 14(1), 6–12.

http://www.jstor.org/stable/26488485

Liu, N., 2019. The rise of China and the Antarctic treaty system?. Australian Journal

of Maritime & Ocean Affairs, 11(2), pp.120-131.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/18366503.2019.1589897?

casa_token=7OBeHXT_vE8AAAAA:Bmt2afmBnO61A6EqU9QwO5Jk9K21

nb-hQnNHpVr-vT7yCHI8xDcKGMEmFB3jLNxemV-IJtp9uCcV0ajb
 Australia foreign policy white paper 7

McDougall, D., 2018. Australia’s 2017 foreign policy white paper: Deconstruction

and critique. The Round Table, 107(3), pp.279-290.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00358533.2018.1476094?

casa_token=REN7ECDjk6wAAAAA:rXSG6OLyLdsIDlMYXNB3wO6EFOr

rHpMV2tQwOdq4A72cSAhEl2B7WVC9hYWG_SGkfvRCoeo_Y5TNRPEr

Medcalf, R., 2019. Australia and China: Understanding the reality check. Australian

Journal of International Affairs, 73(2), pp.109-118.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10357718.2018.1538315?

casa_token=-1_g9mZJvI0AAAAA:SUnJ2pndqIqjMLiNgiwBC54u5S_-

jDCZT1Dah3kx6G9CyF0JBNyfUok5Bw5568fAQKSJhzz3lVGvRGLyNQ

Oliver, A., 2017. 2017 Lowy Institute Poll: Understanding Australian Attitudes to the

World.

https://think-asia.org/handle/11540/7370

Reilly, B., 2020. The return of values in Australian foreign policy. Australian Journal

of International Affairs, 74(2), pp.116-123.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10357718.2019.1693503?

casa_token=0GSrFD3mjf0AAAAA:DUUHInvfbXGcbIUTZrp4cqGvr1lKY7

DvDENXvuG0ZNYz8wmvQRxiSAFHVegaKcKTozpgfk9V56AVyhcfBw

Sanyal, J., 2019. Shaping Australian Foreign Policy in the 21st Century. Security

Challenges, 15(1), pp.1-8.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/26644514

Tidwell, A., 2017. The role of ‘diplomatic lobbying’in shaping US foreign policy and

its effects on the Australia–US relationship. Australian Journal of

 Australia foreign policy white paper 8

International Affairs, 71(2), 184-200.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10357718.2016.1184620