How do you see the role of Australian in regional security development of South Pacific? Do you agree that Australia is playing a hegemonic role in multilateralism in the region? Describe your arguments in a comprehensive way.
To analyze hegemonic role of Australia in multilateralism security in the region, we can use level of security matrix according to the presence and the capacity to defend against them.[1]
Presence of external security threats
| | High | Low | ||
| Balance of Power Deterrence (Cold War or Cold Peace) | Hegemony Emergence of Non-traditional Security Agenda | ||
| Low | Small states faced by major rivals: Insecurity and vulnerability | War peace among democracies Isolated small states |
The presence of external security threats is low, but Australia has high capacity to defend against them. Insecurity problems happen in all regions in the world include in South Pacific. More or less it will give impact to Australia.
The manufacture, trafficking and consumption of illicit drugs are significant security challenges for Pacific island countries. South Pacific has long been a transshipment point for the flow of various illicit drugs such as cocaine, heroin and amphetamine-type stimulants between suppliers in Central and South America and South East Asia and distributors in Australia, New Zealand and North America.[2] That problem becomes a consistent threat to the Australian community. Based on that, Australia through its Attorney-General’s Department is helping to focus attention on these issues through the South Pacific Precursor Control Forum.
Australia also supplied patrol boats for the Pacific Island countries as a response of the increasing the number transnational crime which use the marine area. The project involves not just the boat, but training for the crews, naval advisers posted to each recipient country, and through life logistic and technical support. For most countries, Australia provides additional funds to cover some of the cost operating.
On July 1, 2003, PM of Australia John Howard declared that since rogue and failed states too often become a base for terrorists and transnational criminals, Australia should take remedial action and take it now. Furthermore hegemony of Australia appears in some internal conflict in Pacific Island countries.
When Solomon Island knocked down ethnic conflict which furthermore flourished to armed conflict, Australia together with other countries sent 2000 police and army personnel. It was the biggest military operation in South Pacific region since World War II. Another example, when coup d’état happened in Fiji in 2006, Australia also sent police. Intervention of Australia getting bigger after two senior police officers took over the leadership of Fiji’s police.
Australia has high capacity to defend against the security threats. Australia is the richest country in South Pacific. Based on data from IMF, GDP Australia in 2008 is US$ 1,010,699, 000, 000 and positioned in rank 14th.[3] In the contrary, based on data from CIA World Factbook in 2007 most of Pacific Island countries positioned in the lowest rank.[4] It is because they depend their economy to the donor.
Australia military power is one of the greater. The Australian Defence Force seeks to be a high-technology force and the number of weapon and armed vehicles are appropriate. Some vehicles which belonging to Australia are: 59 M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks, 700 M113 APC, and 71 F/A-18 Hornet fighters.[5] Australia allocates A$ 22 billion to the Australian Defence Organisation in the 2007–2008.[6] This level of expenditure is equivalent to approximately 2.0% of Australian GDP. This strength make Australia have stronger hegemony.
[1] Perwita, Anak Agung, Lecture material of Security in Asia Pacific for Defence Management ITB 2008/2009
[2] Attorney-General’s Department and Australian Custom Service, Inquiry into the Main Economic and Security Challenges Facing Papua New Guinea and the Island States of the Southwest Pacific, http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/Committee/fadt_ctte/swpacific/submissions/sub40.pdf, accessed on May 27 2009.
[3] Report for Selected Countries and Subjects, http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2009/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2007&ey=2008&sic=1&sort=country&ds, accessed on May 28, 2009.
[4] Field Listing - GDP (official exchange rate), https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2195.html, accessed on May 28, 2009.
[5] Half of Super Hornets shipment to be Made Electronic Warfare Ready, http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25114315-31477,00.html, accessed on May 28, 2009.
[6] Portfolio Budget Statements 2007-08, http://www.defence.gov.au/budget/07-08/pbs/index.htm, accessed on May 28, 2009.
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