Year 10: Military - US/Australia Alliance

Who is Steven Smith and what important role does he play for the Australian Government?

Steven Smith is the defence minister of Australia. He plays an important role for the Australian government as he is in a very high position in the cabinet and has a huge influence on the decisions of the government. The Australian minister for defence administers his portfolio through the Australian Defence Organisation, which is compromised of the Department of Defence and the Australian Defence Force.

What is the Brookings Institution where Mr. Smith delivered his speech?

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, D.C. One of Washington's oldest think tanks, Brookings conducts research and education in the social sciences, primarily in economics, metropolitan policy, governance, foreign policy, and global economy

What role does the Australia/US Alliance play in Australia's 'strategic and security arrangements'?

The role of the Australia/US alliance plays a huge part in Australia's strategic and security arrangement because both countries rely and depend upon one another, particularly Australia on the US. If these arrangements were do change, drastic ramifications could occur

What is important about Australia's global location for this alliance?

Australia is located in the Asia-Pacific region. This is important because this region has become the "centre of gravity" for the world, in terms of economic, political, military and strategic influence.

What contributions has Australia made to this alliance for the last 50 years?

For the last 50 years, through the joint defence facilities in Australia, Australia have made a significant contribution to US national security by hosting or supporting some of the US's most sensitive and critical strategic capabilities

What did the minister say about the Australian companies who do business with the US?

The minister said 9000 Australian companies did business in the US. "They pay an average wage of $US70,000 ($63,490) per employee per annum and include your largest shopping-centre owner and two of your largest 20 banks," he said.

Why does the minister point out this information about this company? What does it highlight about the relationship between Australia and the US?

He points out these particular facts in order to highlight the economic power and importance of Australia in the US. It highlights that Australia is having a very positive impact on the American economy, and that the relationship should be continued.

What is the country central to Australia's relationships in the region?

China

What is Australia trying to foster with this country?

Australia had committed to developing strong and positive military and defence relations with China through dialogue and practical activities, Mr Smith told the institution.

"Australia wants, as the Chinese would say, China to emerge into a 'harmonious environment'."

Why do you think that this is important to Australia?

This is extremely important for Australia, particularly, in my opinion, for Defence and Economy. This is because China is emerging as the superpower of the world, and this would benefit Australia as China relies on the commodities Australia trades with them. It is important to maintain positive military and defence relations with China as to avoid negative contact with a force that is extremely powerful

VIDEO-asylum seekers

1. What is the deal between Australia and Malaysia? (What are the numbers of people being 'swapped'?)
Australia and Malaysia have agreed to an asylum seeker "swap" deal. Australia will send 800 asylum seekers to Malaysia in exchange for 4000 genuine refugees who's cases have been verified by the UN Refugee agency.


2. What rights will they have in Malaysia which will allow them to support themselves?
They will be given human rights protections. They will be treated with dignity and respect in Malaysia, and Australia will be covering the cost of any health or education expenses. They will also have the right to work


3.How does Malaysia normally treat illegal immigrants?
They are routinely rounded up and put in detention if they're found in a work site. They are known to receive harsh treatment and punishment


4.Are children being sent to Malaysia?
Yes, children are being sent as part of this arrangement


5. What is going to happen to the processing of the 500+ people currently in Australia who have arrived from the 7th of May?
They will now be processed in Australia, after the government formally said that these asylum seekers were not going to be processed in Australia


6.What do refugee advocates worry about for the 800 asylum seekers?
They are concerned that there is no way the Australian government can guarantee the human rights protection for the asylum seekers


7.What is the goal of this 'swap' program?
The main goal is to slow down or even stop the amount of boat arrivals on the shores of Australia


8.Do you think that it will work? Why/why not?
I am extremely sceptical as to whether these human rights and punishment restrictions can be guaranteed when they cannot enforce these things from the shores of Australia. Also, the asylum seekers being sent are extremely against the idea themselves, so I am also interested as to how they are going to force these asylum seekers out of Australia and into a country where asylum seekers are generally treated with harsh disrespect

Year 10: Immigration

1. What is an asylum seeker?

An asylum seeker is a person who has crossed an international frontier into a country in which he or she hopes to be granted refugee status

2. For what reasons would they leave their country and come to Australia?

Asylum seekers often flee their country from fear of persecution for reasons of race,religion, social group, or political opinion.

3. What reasons will allow them to be approved for asylum?

The department of immigration is responsible for deeming whether an persons reasons for seeking asylum are genuine. If the persons reasons are deemed acceptable, then a person is granted asylum

4. From what countries are most asylum seekers coming?

According to statistics from the refugee council of Australia, China has the most on-shore asylum seeker applications.

Year 10: Monday 25/7 Period 4

1. Kevin Rudd has the title of "Foreign Minister". This role involves the conduction and supervision of foreign and diplomatic relations with other states.


2. Kevin Rudd's main concern is that Australia, and Northern Territory in particular, may be under threat of nuclear attack form North Korea


3. He was at the ASEAN regional forum


4. North Korea recently torpedoed a South Korean naval frigate, shelled civilians’ homes across the border  and defied two UN Security Council resolutions by pursuing an enriched uranium weapons program.


5. The direct threat to Australia is with the long range missile that North Korea have been working on for over a decade


6. I think that Rudd is trying to warn and gain the companionship of other countries also possibly under threat. Australia is in a very strong position in the region and is acting almost as a leader.


7. This relates to Australia's major allies because they are also strongly against the use of nuclear weapons by North Korea

Year 10: Australian Aid

1.✓




2. 
- In the past 5 years, Australia's overseas aid budget has doubled
- By 2015, we will be spending $8 billion a year on helping people overseas
-There is an uneasy sense that we might all be deluding ourselves.
- late last year, Kevin Rudd announced a review of Australia's overseas aid program by an impressive panel of experts.
- spending money in ways that makes no difference doesn't help anyone, and there is no virtue in aid that makes donors feel good but doesn't help the needy.
- Most obviously, emergency relief after disasters such as Indonesia's tsunami can save thousands. But this accounts for only 7 per cent of today's program.
- poverty is being overcome. In 1981, 54 per cent of the world's people lived in extreme poverty. By 2005 this had fallen to 25 per cent. In 2015 it will be less than 15 per cent, according to the World Bank.
- Any act of charity is, among other things, an assertion of power. Perhaps as power slips away, we feel more need to assert it.

I feel that the writer of this article has some extremely interesting points which should be considered seriously. Although it is a fairly controversial viewpoint, as he is basically stating that Australia's aid program is a waste of money, he has some undeniable facts and statistics to reinforce his thesis. I agree with the writer of this article and I feel that Australia's foreign aid program needs to be seriously reconsidered in order to work out whether our money is being spent efficiently.

3.  I think Australia is giving more and more aid because they feel that they are in a positive economic position in comparison to many other countries, or possibly as a simple statement and declaration of power. The benefits of this is that it puts Australia in a good position to have a healthy relationship with many countries however it also means Australia will simply have less money to spend on things the country needs for itself