9 - Reassessing Australia’s Role in Papua New Guinea and the Island Pacific1

Summary

The Island Pacific, and especially Papua New Guinea (PNG), occupies an important place in Australia’s international relations. In part this flows from geographical proximity and historical linkages, and considerations of security, trade, and investment. But in addition the Island Pacific is perhaps the only part of the world in which Australia can hope to exercise a significant influence over events, and in which it is generally regarded by the international community as having a responsibility for promoting political stability and economic progress. Australia’s regional responsibility was explicitly recognised in the 1997 foreign policy White Paper, In the National Interest. Yet while the importance of the region is often recognised in the rhetoric of public statements, and concretely in levels of development assistance and defence cooperation, mention of the Pacific frequently comes only at the end of foreign policy and defence analyses, and it is difficult to discern a coherent, long-term policy framework in Australia’s dealings with the Pacific Island states.