The Age article: Declaring the "9/11 decade" to be over, Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced that Australia's national security focus will switch firmly to the Asia-Pacific region, where the rise of new powers is creating a "more crowded and complex" strategic landscape. Includes the rise of digital threats and security
Sydney Morning Herald article: The shift of global economic weight and strategic competition to the Indo-Pacific region means it is essential the Australian Defence Force's military force is focused on engagement to our north in both the south Pacific and south-east Asia.
The governments in the Pacific Islands have been urging Canberra to begin a guest labour scheme that would allow unskilled workers to come to Australia for a few months each year in jobs like fruit picking.
Sydney Morning Herald article: Natural population growth and a steady migration rate are the unsung heroes of Australia's economic resilience through the global financial crisis, new research suggests.
An UN Refugee Agency Report expressing concerns about asylum seekers in Papua New Guinea including legal issues, refugee safety and protection questions.
Sydney Morning Herald article: Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's plan to buy boats from Indonesian fishermen to prevent the vessels being used by people smugglers has been slammed by Jakarta as unfriendly and an insult to Indonesia.
Opinion piece from The Drum calls for the ADF to establish itself as confident middle power in the Asia Pacific region and prepare for short-notice humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) related tasks in the region
Sydney Morning Herald article: Australia has committed to tightening defence co-operation with Japan as American-led efforts to widen and tighten alliances in the face of a rising China are drawing new controversy.
Website of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, provides an overview of the association and links to the the Charter, Structure, history of ASEAN as well as news, media gallery, information and external links
Vijay Naidu of the University of the South Pacific argues that the Australian Defence White Paper 2009 "does not successfully incorporate Australia's foreign and economic policies in its immediate neighbourhood as a possible source of instability and security risk.
The FPDA, conceived as a consultative framework for the joint defence of Malaysia and Singapore, has proved to be an effective psychological deterrent. It has evolved into an area defence system that continues to be relevant and beneficial to the region.