Document Type
Other
Publisher
Edith Cowan University
Place of Publication
Perth, Western Australia
School
Centre for Asian Communication and Media Studies
Abstract
In 1989 the Garnaut Report appeared arguing Australian trade would have to take on a new Asian focus. 1 The Hawke Government began to implement its recommendations in 1990-91. But it was not until the ascendancy of the Keating administration that in 1992 the Federal Government launched a major national initiative to integrate Australia more closely with the Australian-Pacific Region. Various federal politicians and departmental spokespersons argued with a great deal of urgency that "Asia" was a potential economic lifeline for Australia well into the 21st Century. Federal Minister Dawkins said the time had come for Australia "to be enmeshed with the dynamism of the Asian-Pacific region". Prime Minister Keating addressing the region said Australia was "a friend you can rely on". Foreign Minister Evans said we were "not Asian but alongside Asia".2
Comments
Lee, J. (1993). The Australian media and the 'push to Asia'. Perth, Australia: Edith Cowan University.