Australia's pursuit of an independent foreign policy under the Whitlam Labor government : the achievements and limitations of a middle power

Examining a series of episodes in Australia’s foreign relations under Whitlam, the author pays attention to a broad range of hitherto insufficiently researched domestic and international issues in Australian’s foreign relations of the early 1970s. The election of the Whitlam-led Labor Government in December 1972 ushered in fresh ideas and audacious initiatives in Australia’s foreign policy. Whitlam’s approach was shaped by a vision of taking Australia forward to its “rightful” and “independent” place in the future of the Asia-Pacific region. They range from immigration policy and the abolition of appeals from Australian Courts to the Privy Council to such major international issues as the Anglo-American base in Diego Garcia, French nuclear testing in the Pacific and the Five-Power Agreement with respect to Malaysia and Singapore. He demonstrates how the pursuit of foreign policy independence repeatedly placed the Whitlam Government in a position wedged in between Australia’s traditional allies and the Third World; and how it navigated Australia’s national interests on a series of dilemma situations involving conflicting strategic interests between Australia and its traditional allies, and those between major powers and the non-aligned countries. The analysis presented in this book contributes to not only historical literature on the subject but also the understanding of how a middle power, like Australia, can navigate intensifying great power rivalry. Essential reading for scholars of Australian foreign policy, as well as being an invaluable case study of middle power diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific region. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents List of acronyms and abbreviations Key people Acknowledgements Author Introduction From a dependent country to a dependent ally Whitlam advocated a more independent foreign policy Whitlam’s roadmap towards a more independent foreign policy Asserting independence from Australia’s traditional allies Adjusting Australia’s relationship with Asia Establishing Australia’s image as a country with an independent foreign policy at the international stage The rationale behind Whitlam’s pursuit of an independent foreign policy About this book Notes References Chapter 1: Not a “camp-follower” anymore The difference between Whitlam and McMahon’s thinking on Australia's relationship with Britain The British proposal to transfer the BBC relay station to Christmas Island Britain’s Response to the East African Asians Crisis: Kenyan Exodus & Ugandan Expulsion The Anglo-Australia interaction over the Ugandan Asian crisis Notes Bibliography Chapter 2: In pursuit of judicial independence A thorny issue left over by Australia’s colonial past To dust off the cobwebs in a rush A domestic-policy issue or a foreign-policy issues? Australian constitutional tussle in London The Australian Commonwealth Government’s dilemma Who controls the formal conduit for advice to the Queen? When Labour came across Labor... Acknowledgement Notes Bibliography Chapter 3: From “forward defence” to “continental defence” A debate among historians The defence arrangement of Malaysia and Singapore after the British withdrawal The Gorton Government’s stance on the FPDA Should Australia station military forces in Malaysia and Singapore? The tendency towards bipartisanship The decision to withdraw The regional response To pull Australia back Acknowledgement Notes Bibliography Chapter 4: The spectre of nuclear testing French nuclear tests in Polynesia Whitlam’s protest against the French nuclear tests The Heath Government sought to avoid embroiling themselves in the dispute “A convenient pretext to invoke” A saga that has no ending Acknowledgement Notes Bibliography Chapter 5: Stuck between two worlds The origin of the US military bases in Diego Garcia The role of the British Government The evolution of the Australian Government’s position Why did the Whitlam Government protest against the proposal for the expansion of Diego Garcia? The tacit understanding among Washington, London and Canberra Australia urged the US and the Soviet to reach a mutual restraint agreement Fraser swung Australia’s posture back to the conservative position A knot to be untied Acknowledgement Notes Bibliography Chapter 6: The triumph of realism “New nationalism” and “new internationalism” Internationalism Nationalism Idealism Realism as an underpinning of Whitlam’s foreign policy Whitlam’s involvement and support for international organisations To recognise the reality of international politics head-on To cast principles aside should the necessity arise The pursuit of an independent stance in both the Australian-American and Anglo-Australian alliances The triumph of realism over the abstract principle of self-determination Acknowledgement Notes Bibliography Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index "The election of the Whitlam-led Labor government in December 1972 ushered in fresh ideas and audacious initiatives in Australia's foreign policy. Whitlam's approach was shaped by a vision of taking Australia forward to its "rightful" and "independent" place in the future of the Asia Pacific region. Examining a series of episodes in Australia's foreign relations under Whitlam, Chen pays attention to a broad range of hitherto insufficiently researched domestic and international issues in Australian's foreign relations of the early 1970s. They range from immigration policy and the abolition of appeals from Australian Courts to the Privy Council to such major international issues as the Anglo-American base in Diego Garcia, French nuclear testing in the Pacific and the Five Power Agreement with respect to Malaysia and Singapore. Chen demonstrates how the pursuit of foreign policy independence repeatedly placed the Whitlam Government in a position wedged in between Australia's traditional allies and the Third World; and how it navigated Australia's national interests on a series of dilemma situations involving conflicting strategic interests between Australia and its traditional allies, and those between major powers and the non-aligned countries. The analysis presented in this book contributes to not only historical literature on the subject but also to the understanding of how a middle power, like Australia, can navigate intensifying great power rivalry. Essential reading for scholars of Australian foreign policy, as well as being an invaluable case study of Middle Power diplomacy in the Asia Pacific region"-- Provided by publisher