Power, ambition and a policy to match

Australia performs at the top level in most any sport. This shouldn’t surprise people because, by any measure, Australia is a significant country. We have government institutions of which we can be rightly proud. We have the world’s most liveable cities. Our armed forces are significant. Australia contributes enormously to many endeavours.

We should not be surprised by any contribution Australia seeks to make in any field.

We have developed a distinctive culture and people recognise our no-nonsense attitude that enables us to master any challenge.

Australia has a choice on foreign policy. We can take these strengths and use them to advance our interests on the global stage. Or we can be less ambitious, less self-assured and narrow our focus to our immediate region.

This would be foolish and, in the end, futile because in the modern age no distance is great, no nation is isolated and no major international challenge lacks a global dimension.

There are four global challenges where I think we have an expansive agenda to pursue.

The first is climate change. People think the Kyoto Protocol was a big step forward and we should sign on. Well, it wasn’t and we won’t.

Under Kyoto, global warming would reduce by just 0.03C by 2100. Ours is a bigger agenda. Domestically, we have aggressive policies to accelerate the changes that will cut emissions. Internationally, we lead the Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate.

Second is democracy and freedom. By acting to support these values with our neighbours, in our region and around the globe, we help to provide a stable and secure environment. Imagine the alternative – trying to prosper in a region or a world of failed or despotic states.

We joined the coalition in Iraq to rid the world of the threat posed by Saddam Hussein. Since his overthrow, our troops have helped provide security for a newly free people and have trained more than 1600 Iraqi soldiers.

If the Coalition of the Willing were to leave Iraq now, it would be a catastrophe for Iraq and the stability of the Middle East.

Australia works for similar aims in different ways in our region. Our commitments in the Solomon Islands and East Timor, our work on governance in Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, our work on counter-terrorism and policing co-operation in Indonesia and the Philippines – all efforts aimed at supporting democracy, freedom and the rule of law.

Third, we are now part of the East Asia Summit process. Next year, we will host APEC.

We’ve found new ways of engaging with regional governments. Our federal police have never had closer working relationships in the region. Our border agencies are increasingly networked with regional counterparts. Intelligence information is shared like never before.

Fourth is a big and ambitious trade agenda. While pursuing a successful conclusion to the Doha round as our number one priority, we are also working towards free trade agreements with our major trading partners in Asia.

Our trade advantage is built on a competitive economy. As a result, our weight has grown and we can argue for global deregulation.

Australia is a significant regional power in our neighbourhood. I don’t mean that we dominate others. We work co-operatively, within international norms and towards the common good.

We are often asked to take the lead in a crisis. We are seen as neutral and capable of responding to disasters, health or security threats.

We have a big, ambitious foreign policy. It befits an ambitious, significant country. I am certain we are up to the challenge.

Alexander Downer is Foreign Affairs Minister. This is an edited version of a speech delivered on 10 July 2006 for The Centre for Independent Studies.