Ladies and gentlemen.
As we approach the end of the end of the year, the obligation is always
there to look back and see how we've gone.
The last year has been one of my most demanding as Foreign Minister.
It has also been one of the most satisfying.
And it has been satisfying because, consistent with the Government's practical,
outcomes-oriented approach, we have been able to achieve some great things
for Australia on the foreign policy front.
I will return to that theme a little later.
But before I do, I wanted to talk today about why concentrating on outcomes
is not mere pragmatism;
why it is fundamentally underpinned by our attributes and values as a nation.
. .
. . . by our willingness to meet our global responsibilities to promote
security and prosperity. . . .
. . . and by our demonstrated steadfastness as an ally, a friend to freedom,
and the diversity and breadth of our international relationships.
National Self-Understandings
My view is that we are not just a "middle power", as my predecessor, Gareth
Evans, often asserted.
In fact we are a strong Commonwealth with around the 12th largest
economy in the world, and one of the most successful, peaceful and well-governed
democracies in history.
We are not a middling nation, but a considerable power, the sixth largest
in total land mass.
That notion of a "little Australia" had been the prevailing paradigm throughout
the previous Government and remains strong among its remnants.
Kim Beazley routinely articulated Labor's position as its Federal leader
in 1998.
He told the national Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the need for innovation
"to compensate for what we lack in competitive clout by being a small nation."
I repeat "a small nation".
Where does Simon Crean stand on this fundamental question?
It's difficult to know.
Neither as Labor's Deputy Leader nor as Leader in his own right, has he
distanced himself from the Beazley Line, so to speak.
Nor has he rebuked Kevin Rudd, his spokesman on Foreign Affairs, when he
described Australia as "a small nation".
Senator Bob Brown, Leader of the Greens, also says "we're a small nation".
I have good news for him and for the Labor Party, although I doubt it will
come as much of a surprise to the rest of the country.
Even on the basis of population, Australia is around the top 25 per cent.
But social cohesiveness, strong institutions, and confidence in what we
stand for as a nation count for much more.
The tendency to regard Australia as a second-class state infects baby-boomer
members of the commentariat, although thankfully most Australians of the
same cohort and most people under 35 remain uninfected by the virus.
At its most extreme the 'little Australia' phenomenon leads to weird kinds
of self-disgust.
Take, for example, Phillip Adams, the doyen of the liberal Left commentators.
He cannot conceal his disdain for his fellow Australians as 'mean-spirited
and gutless' and 'a little people who dishonour a great land.'
Don Watson, Paul Keating's former speech writer still lives in Australia,
but says he feels like 'an exile at home. . . I am not uncomfortable with
the US alliance, but surely there are other Australians who feel like me
that there is something unhealthy and demeaning about the relationship as
it now exists.'
At least this is a more temperate version than his description of Australia
as 'bent over the barrel and . . . willing to bend further as occasion demanded.'
Equally unstoppable and invincibly ignorant have been the usual suspects
in the clerical elite.
The Anglican Primate, Archbishop Peter Carnley, announced to his Synod,
on the slenderest evidence, that 'Australia's policy on asylum seekers had
affected its reputation around the world.'
Another archbishop believes the Howard Government 'is destroying our international
reputation, brutalising the Australian people's attitudes and making us
a less compassionate people.'
Who can explain this moral equivalent of the cultural cringe, except perhaps
as an aberration of the elites in the dwindling days of their influence?
I am inclined to regard it as a reflex action and to think that they simply
can't help themselves.
But Australia's Foreign and Trade policy is more surely based on a grasp
of our traditional roots in Western Civilisation, our distinctiveness as
a people and considerations of the interplay of national interests and our
global responsibilities.
The Politics of National Identity
National identity develops organically.
Although for the bourgeois Left it has degenerated into a party- political
game which they have played shamelessly hard ball.
National identity should always inform Foreign Policy and not, as some
of our critics assume, be informed by it.
Our sense of shared identity ought not be driven by chauvinism, defensiveness
or partisan social engineering.
Rather it should derive from justified pride and confidence about our achievements
as a nation and a people and a ramified understanding of a complex past.
Among other things, we can take pride in the fact that our country has
been able to grasp the economic opportunities of globalisation by being
open, innovative and competitive. . .
. . . we are proud of the valiant and highly professional contributions
which our soldiers, sailors, our airmen and women have made to the war against
terror and the war in Iraq.
. . . and we are proud of the role that the military, police, aid workers
and diplomats have played in restoring normalcy and security to Solomon
Islands in three short months.
Tolerance and perseverance are fundamental to our spirit.
And we are a stable, liberal democracy, with sound national institutions
and an indefatigable commitment to the political and economic freedom that
underpins that society.
Not only will we refuse to apologise for our values and beliefs.
We will actively help those in our region and beyond it who aspire to the
freedoms we enjoy;
Through, for example, our on-going nation-building efforts in East Timor.
. .
. . . or our work to help Iraqis re-build their country, free of tyranny
and oppression. . .
. . . or through our engagement in dialogue on, and advocacy of, human
rights.
We also remain an outward-looking country, conscious of the responsibilities
which go with our role in the international community, to contribute to
global security, prosperity and development.
In a time of uncertainty, that commitment will continue to be underlined:
. . . .by our efforts to build effective cooperation with our neighbours
to counter-terrorism . . .
. . . by our work to prevent the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction
and the illicit trade in WMD materials and know-how. . .
. . . and by our assistance to neighbouring countries to strengthen their
governance and enhance their institutions so that they too can enjoy the
opportunities that a globalised world affords.
Finally, Australia has a well-deserved reputation for being a steadfast
friend to many - both nations and oppressed minorities - particularly in
uncertain and dangerous times.
It's an extension of our distinctive understanding of what mateship can
mean.
And we certainly do not allow terrorists and extremists to dictate who
our friends and allies should be.
We also recognise that, like friendship itself, our relationships across
the globe are not mutually exclusive.
We can, on the one hand, continue to strengthen our relations with the
United States, including the effort to put our economic relationship on
a par with our political and strategic relationship. . .
. . . while at the same time actively build on the long tradition of Australia's
political, military and economic engagement with Asia. . .
. . . and work to ensure that Australia's voice is heard in Europe on those
issues that matter most to us, particularly with respect to trade.
Engagement in Asia
This latter point deserves clearer focus.
It underlines a key characteristic of Australian foreign policy.
And that is, that we proceed from the understanding that our interests
are not defined solely by geography.
It is a case I have often made and which is encapsulated in the Foreign
and Trade Policy White Paper, released earlier this year.
But it's also a statement of the obvious.
We have a long-standing and vitally important relationship with the United
States.
We have deep and diverse political, strategic and economic connections
with Asia.
And we trade wherever we find markets for our goods and services, from
South America to the Middle East.
Our critics, of course, interpret this as some 'turning away from Asia.'
It's the old Keating canard, politically self-serving and transparently
false, as President Hu's visit and its triumphant outcomes demonstrate.
Our engagement with Asia today is plainly stronger than it ever was, although
the dismal brigade, of course, refuse to recognise that fact.
For example, a former diplomat, Alison Broinowski, maintains that we are
a culturally cringing, subservient ally of an imperious United States, which
makes all of us targets wherever we are.
She also claims that our regional relationships have diminished in the
Howard era.
'Pulling off two presidential visits in a week has enabled Howard to claim
another triumph. The truth however is that a gap yawns between the assuring
self-image Australians are being offered and the way we are perceived in
the region.'
Her evidence is thin, mostly derived from Australia-bashing journalists
in English language Asian newspapers, and otherwise anecdotal.
Like many critics she fails to see, or perhaps cannot bear to recognise,
the far-reaching and effective counter-terrorism cooperation between Australia
and our regional partners which has served to prevent terror attacks and
disrupt terror networks and has also underlined our shared security interests.
Or they choose to ignore that in the last year we have concluded two genuinely
liberalising Free Trade Agreements with Singapore and Thailand, and have
begun a joint study on a third with China.
Or they are blind to the fact that our long-standing resources partnerships
with North Asia have continued to expand - especially with last year's major
LNG contract win in China, our first significant LNG contract with South
Korea and our booming iron ore exports.
On the cultural level, there are also more Asian students in Australia
today than ever before.
The fact is, if they but cared to look, what they would see today are dynamic
relationships between Australia and the other countries of the region.
Indeed if the sneerers looked hard enough they would see that we are not
the only ones that do not define our interests exclusively in regional terms.
Singapore, for example, already has an FTA with the United States and Thailand
is following suit.
In the last year we have seen Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand strengthen
their strategic relationship with the United States, the latter two acquiring
major non-NATO ally status.
China also recognises that a constructive relationship and economic engagement
with the United States, and indeed the EU, are critical to its efforts to
consolidate its economy and international influence.
Iraq and its Aftermath
Ultimately it is not those people who profess to be ashamed of their country
to whom we answer in the conduct of our foreign policy.
It is the Australian people.
We understand that very well, and it is what drives us to deliver substantial
foreign policy outcomes.
As I mentioned at the outset, from the perspective of outcomes achieved,
the last year has been very satisfying.
I am particularly proud of the active role Australia has played and is
continuing to play in Iraq.
Together with our coalition partners, we brought Saddam Hussein's regime
to account for ignoring the demands of the international community that
Iraq verifiably terminate its WMD programs - demands spelt out in some 17
UN Security Council resolutions.
As the Iraq Survey Group's still unfinished assessment of Iraq's WMD program
has already shown, Saddam's ambition for these weapons had not diminished.
Some of you may not have read - or reported—much on these matters.
It has already detailed dozens of WMD-related activities and significant
amounts of material - including an organism applicable to Biological Weapons
- concealed from UNMOVIC inspectors.
The Kay Report has revealed testimony from regime scientists and officials
that Saddam Hussein was firmly committed to acquiring nuclear weapons capabilities
and evidence that Iraq was also committed to developing proscribed missiles
and other WMD-capable delivery systems never declared to, or discovered
by, the UN.
Had UNMOVIC made these findings a year ago there would have been far less
debate in the Security Council last March on the appropriate course of action.
Indeed, the Kay report shows that removing Saddam was the only way the
international community could be assured that he would no longer threaten
the international community or his people with WMD.
Saddam provided open support for terrorists such as Mujahedin-e Khalq,
the Palestinian Liberation Front, Abu Nidal and others, and accepted the
presence of al-Qa'ida operatives in Iraq.
If these facts, so relentlessly ridiculed by the commentariat when canvassed
by our allies at the beginning of the war, had been given due credit, even
Labor's Left and the Greens would surely have recognised what national interest
dictated.
Or would they?
Together with our coalition partners we have removed a regime which had
represented a threat to international non-proliferation norms, to the security
of its neighbours and to the lives of its own people.
We didn't do it because we thought what followed the regime's downfall
might be easy.
Nation-building rarely is, especially when you are dealing with the corrosive
legacy of Saddam's 25 years of oppressive rule.
Rooting out those who indiscriminately kill Iraqis, coalition forces and
international aid workers will remain a priority.
Terrorists will not prevail in their evil campaigns to restore Ba'athist
tyranny.
But gone already is the all-pervasive influence of the Ba'ath party.
Today there are some 150 new political parties.
Gone is Iraq's Orwellian Ministry of Information.
Today there are some 170 newspapers; and satellite dishes are sold on street
corners.
A prompt, credible and sustainable hand-over of power to the Iraqi people
remains the coalition's objective.
Even as the coalition uncovers the bleak horror of 263 mass graves, yielding
300,000 of Saddam's victims, Iraqis optimistically are taking control of
their destinies.
Two hundred and fifty five municipal councils are functioning. Chambers
of commerce, business, school and professional organizations are electing
their leaders all over the country.
And the Iraqi Governing Council and ministries are undertaking responsibility
for running the country.
Who would now stand up and say they wished this regime had not been overthrown?
Iraq is not, of course, the end of efforts to promote non-proliferation.
In our active role in the Proliferation Security Initiative, we have, with
our partners, re-focussed and re-energised efforts to stop the spread of
WMD materials and technical expertise.
The second meeting of the PSI was held in Australia and the first naval
counter-proliferation exercise held under its auspices took place here this
year.
The initiative sends a clear message that the world will not tolerate the
illicit trade in these dangerous capabilities.
This is especially critical today against the background of efforts by
terrorist groups to acquire these weapons.
Australians don't need to be told what this could mean.
Our recent commemoration of the tragic events that took place in Bali a
year ago is reminder enough of the terrible, indiscriminate savagery of
these extremists.
I am proud of our continuing effort to help our regional neighbours defeat
terrorism in South-East Asia.
Our eight bilateral counter-terrorism MoUs have facilitated cooperation
between Australian law enforcement officials and their counterparts in the
region.
Our capacity-building programs are helping to improve the ability of regional
law enforcement and security agencies to track, disrupt and arrest terrorist.
This year we agreed with the Indonesian Government jointly to host a regional
summit in Bali next year to help us find even more effective ways to combat
terror in the region.
Most gratifying of all is that these efforts are delivering results.
Our co-operation with Indonesia has helped produced 29 convictions in the
Bali bombing trial. . .
. . . across the region 200 suspected members of Jema'ah Islamiyya have
been detained. . .
. . . and today a key terrorist, Al-Ghozi, is no longer at large.
While we still have a long way to go in the global fight against terror,
civilization is making progress.
Over 3000 Al-Qaida suspects have been detained and nearly $200 million
in terrorist assets have been frozen.
Significantly for Australia and our region, Hambali, a key link between
Al-Qaeda and JI is now in US custody.
The last year has not only seen Australia help its neighbours fight terror;
we have also worked with them to build a better future for their countries.
Most recently, the Government has committed itself to helping the people
and government of Papua New Guinea realise their national goals.
We are currently discussing with the PNG Government enhanced forms of co-operation,
in particular, in the areas of economic management, public sector and law
reform, the administration of justice and policing.
Of course, if anything typifies the extent to which we have been prepared
to support and work with our regional partners over the last year, it is
the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands.
In co-operation with our Pacific neighbours, and at the invitation of the
Solomons' Government, the mission has in three short months achieved some
remarkable things.
For the first time in three years the people of the Solomons are able to
live their lives free of thuggery and violence.
For the first time in three years the Solomon Islands' Government is able
to operate and deliver services to its people, free of intimidation.
And for the first time in three years the Solomons' Government has been
able to present a credible and coherent budget to the Parliament - and one
what's more, that is likely to be implemented.
Of course the mission is not over.
Much remains to be done.
But it is gratifying to be able to say at such an early stage that we are
well on the way to helping the people of the Solomons build a more stable
and more prosperous future.
If there is one event this year that I wanted to end on today, it is the
visits to Australia last month of Presidents Bush and Hu.
Not so much because these reflect some achievements of Australian diplomacy,
but because of what these visits say about Australia as a country.
They were, of course, landmarks in our efforts to strengthen our relationships
with these two countries critical to Australia's future.
And they show that Australia can sustain diverse relationships and remind
the world that our relations with Asia and the United States are not mutually
exclusive.
More fundamentally, they demonstrate that Australia is right to be secure
about its place in the world. . .
. . . that we should be unapologetic about our values and our beliefs.
. .
. . . and that we have reason to be proud of our achievements and our attributes
as a nation.
The Presidents of China and the United States can certainly see that -
even if some of our critics can't.
Thank you.
