Open for business

As Trump imposes tariffs to shut out the world, Australia could show the Indo-Pacific how open it is by killing the last of its tariffs, completing our trek from being a highly protected economy to one of the most open in the world.

The Voldemort effect

The international and economic calculations behind Australia’s budget were shaped in the shadow of the Voldemort-like figure in the White House.

Cold war in warm waters

As Australia prepares for a national election in May, China’s Pacific ambitions are again making headlines.

The meaning of Trump

Win or lose on 5 November, the popularity of Donald Trump tells us all too much about where the United States is heading as ‘the dysfunctional superpower’.

Leadership in the Pacific

The South Pacific has strong societies but weak states, and the social traditions which hold them together are beginning to shift and fade, underlining the importance of better Australian leadership in the region.

Three different views from Shangri-La

The optimism expressed by Kevin Rudd about the ‘Asian Century’ and close relations with China has been tempered in recent years by a more realistic appraisal of China’s true intentions and the need to protect Australia through stronger ties to traditional allies.

A bad year for the bad guys

The death-knell for democracy is always being tolled, but the weakness and folly of authoritarian rule has proved itself this year, epitomised by the Russian dictator’s disastrous invasion of its democratic neighbour, Ukraine.

Fighting in the streets

The recent history of riots in the South Pacific belies its gentle reputation, and highlights the social tensions created by authoritarian governments and growing Chinese influence.

Portents and echoes from Whitlam to Albanese

A new Labor government takes office, threatened by a global recession, seeking a new start with China, and worried by war in a ‘time of entrenched geopolitical competition and stark divisions’ – A tough menu confronted Gough Whitlam’s government when it won office on 2 December 1972.

China crisis

Former Prime Ministers Kevin Rudd and John Howard sought closer ties with China in their time, and both remain hopeful that conflict can be avoided.

Reaching out to the people of the South Pacific

While China woos the leaders of the South Pacific, Australia’s great counter-offer is to the region’s people.

The fine art and inexact science of Australian politics

After twenty years of squabbling and inaction by both sides of politics, the 2022 election has surely brought the ‘climate wars’ to a close, but both Labor and the Liberals will have new battles to fight in government and opposition.