Strategic outlook Australia's security relationship with the South Pacific

1 strategic outlook

1.1 defence white papers 2000 , 2009
1.2 expectations of australia
1.3 arc of instability

strategic outlook

australia has placed important emphasis on security in south pacific because of concern australia s security undermined anarchy in these states, or them falling under control of potentially hostile governments (wainwright & white 2004: 14). these perceptions translate ongoing defence, security, economic, aid, environmental , humanitarian activities (firth 2008: 1).

defence white papers 2000 , 2009

the security of australia s immediate neighbourhood shares indonesia, new zealand, papua new guinea, east timor , island countries of south pacific has ubiquitously been listed second important defence priority behind ability defend australia direct military attack (australian government department of defence 2000 & 2009). white papers emphasise unstable neighbours lead strategic environment might inimical australia s interests (australian government department of defence 2000 & 2009).

expectations of australia

australia considers having significant responsibilities leader , regional power ensure stable , secure south pacific (australian government department of defence 2000: 43–44). australia expected global partners regional leader , judged how fulfils role (firth 2008: 1; australian government department of foreign affairs , trade 1997: 65). in role regional leader, australia has assumed role de facto security guarantor across melanesian arc (dobell 2011: 1 & 6). in addition, australia realises while problems in neighbourhood may not world shaping problems , however, if not take lead in addressing regional issues else might , detrimental australia s ability influence region (lyon 2008: 2).

the arc of instability

the term ‘arc of instability’ commonly used refer region australia s immediate north , east , term has appeared in numerous australian government reports (rumley 2006: 17). australian government fears failing states in south pacific, unable uphold rule of law or control borders, make australia more vulnerable transnational criminal operations , perhaps terrorism (wainwright 2003: 13–14). in 2003, australian foreign minister, alexander downer, directly alluded possibility of unstable situation in solomon islands posing insidious , direct threats australia , spoke possibility of intervention (downer 2003). there concern events in 1 part of arc of instability contagious regional neighbours (wainwright & white 2004: 14). importance australia places on secure immediate neighbourhood, demonstrated inclusion in strategy of protection of timor leste, political stability in melanesia (including maintenance of regional assistance mission solomon islands (ramsi)) , close defence ties papua new guinea (bergin & herr 2011: 32). australia cognizant ‘non-conventional’ security threats pose problems not islands threat pose threat australia through region (bergin & herr 2011: 32). while transnational, ‘non-conventional’ security threats main security concern australia pertaining south pacific, australian defence , security strategists have considered possibility of weak states in south pacific becoming bases hostile powers launch conventional military attacks on australia (lyon 2007: 9; wainwright 2003: 15).