Lessons for Australia's engagement in the Pacific

How should Australia approach its relationships over the longer term with states in the region in order to best advance its interests? This edition of The Looking Glass examines this question in more detail.

The authors argue that an effective Australian approach to the region will need to focus on deep engagement, demonstrate respect for the legitimate security concerns of Pacific island nations – which can differ considerably in form and scope from Australia's – and treat regional multilateral engagement mechanisms as ways to bring together stakeholders as equals.

In the process, Australia must also be careful not to fall into some of the traps that have previously provided ammunition to its critics. These include: treating the region with 'benign neglect'; acting in a manner that can be perceived as paternalistic; unintentionally creating problems for effective governance at the local level; and inadvertently creating the perception that its approach has more to do with power politics than genuine engagement. Doing so would not only diminish Australian standing and credibility in a geostrategic space where it has longed claimed special interests, but also embolden other states seeking to expand their strategic economic and security footprints in the region.

Authors