Although Australia is located in the Asia-Pacific Region, it is considered a Western state in terms of alliances it has established. In this respect, the Canberra administration has positive relations with Western actors, especially the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the United States of America (USA). As a matter of fact, since the Second World War, Australia has been carrying out policies on the axis of the West, the USA and NATO, both due to its threat perception and its regional conjuncture.
This is clearly understood from the Western-based alliances that Australia is in. But at the same time, especially with the election of Anthony Albanese as the Prime Minister of Australia in May 2022, the dialogue on the Canberra-Beijing line has strengthened and Australia has adopted an approach that emphasizes diplomacy in its relations with China.
In addition to all these, Australia; is a strategic member of the AUKUS Pact implemented by the USA and the UK.[1] The pact in question is very important in terms of increasing the influence of two important Western actors in the Asia-Pacific Region. Essentially, the alliance in question was established with the aim of surrounding China. Because the USA and NATO want to apply the Containment Policy[2] against Beijing, which it achieved an advantageous result by applying it against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Therefore, the AUKUS Pact increases the distrust and tension between Beijing and Canberra.
On the other hand, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), another regional alliance involving Australia, is a Western-based entity in Asia-Pacific. This alliance was formed between Australia, USA, Japan and India.[3] QUAD was established with the aim of bringing together countries that have internalized democratic principles.[4] However, it can be argued that the main purpose of the alliance in question is to limit Beijing’s activities in the South China Sea and to wage a regional struggle with China. At the same time, building a resistance against China’s regional pressure and influence is also one of the main goals of the alliance in question. Therefore, considering the geopolitical, geoeconomic and geostrategic rivalries of the USA and the West with Beijing, it can be argued that QUAD acts as an important front for the USA in the Asia-Pacific Region.
To give an example from history; The ANZUS Agreement was signed in 1951 between Australia, the USA and New Zealand.[5] The situation in question clearly reveals Canberra’s attitude, side, position and perspective in the Asia-Pacific Region. This situation makes Australia a concrete party on the Asia-Pacific geopolitics. In particular, in the agreement in question; Any military attack against the parties will be perceived as a threat by other states. Because in the agreement, “Other states will consider an attack against another state as a danger to their own security and peace.” it is called.[6] Therefore, this situation is very important in terms of showing the legal basis of Canberra’s position.
As a result, Australia is the only actor in both the ANZUS Agreement, the AUKUS Pact and the QUAD that has not changed with the USA. This adds a very Western perspective to Canberra. Although there are signs of softening between Australia and China with the election of Anthony Albanese as Prime Minister, the alliances in question and Canberra’s attitude cause a tense contact with Beijing.
[1] “What is the Aukus Alliance and What are Its Implications?”, The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/sep/16/what-is-the-aukus-alliance-and-what-are-its-implications, (Date of Acces: 03.02.2023).
[2] Mustafa Cem Koyuncu, “Hint-Pasifik Bölgesinin “Yeni Yıldızı” QUAD: Zayıflıklar, Fırsatlar, Tehditler ve Avantajlar”, ANKASAM, https://www.ankasam.org/hint-pasifik-bolgesinin-yeni-yildizi-quad-zayifliklar-firsatlar-tehditler-ve-avantajlar/, (Date of Access: 31.01.2023).
[3] “Quad Members Meet in New Delhi, Assure it is not a Military Grouping or Meant to Counter China”, The Times of India, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/quad-members-meet-in-new-delhi-assure-it-is-not-a-military-grouping-or-meant-to-counter-something/articleshow/98391209.cms, (Date of Access: 31.01.2023).
[4] “What is The Quad, and How Did it Come About?”, The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/24/what-is-the-quad-and-how-did-it-come-about, (Date of Access: 31.01.2023).
[5] “The Australia, New Zealand and United States Security Treaty (ANZUS Treaty), 1951”, Office of the Historian, https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/anzus, (Date of Access: 31.01.2023).
[6] “The ANZUS Treaty Does not Make Australia Safer. Rather, it Fuels a Fear of Perpetual Military Threat”, The Converstaion, https://theconversation.com/the-anzus-treaty-does-not-make-australia-safer-rather-it-fuels-a-fear-of-perpetual-military-threat-165670, (Date of Access: 31.01.2023).
