Australia as a good international citizen / Alison Pert, foreword Gareth Evans.

Annandale, N.S.W. : Federation Press, 2014.

1st edition

86645

Politics, Practical -- Australia -- History.

International relations -- History.

Australia -- Foreign relations administration.

Australia -- Foreign relations.

Australia -- Politics and government -- History.

The term 'good international citizen' found its way into the Australian lexicon because of its use by Gareth Evans in his capacity as Foreign Minister from 1988 to 1996. In this monograph, Dr Alison Pert seeks to identify the concept of 'a good international citizen,' which includes the attributes of compliance with international law; support for multilateralism; a willingness to pitch in to international tasks; sound morality or ethics; and leadership that raises international standards. Dr Pert then undertakes a systematic analysis of various periods commencing with Federation to test the question of whether Australia is actually a good international citizen. That said, the focus of the book is an analysis of Australia's compliance with international law and its support for multilateralism (such as Australia's involvement in institutions such as a League of Nations and the United Nations). The book permits the reader to appreciate how Australia has matured as a nation using the gauge of whether it is a 'good international citizen'. Dr Pert is balanced and frank in her analysis, and readers will be surprised currently to learn the extent to which the White Australia Policy was an intrinsic part of Australia's international and domestic identity for more than the first half of the twentieth century. The latter part of the book provides an analysis of more recent Australian governments. The reader is permitted to genuinely understand the differences that marked, for example, the Hawke Government from the Gillard Government on international matters such as human rights, indigenous issues, immigration and refugees, and the environment to name a few. The book has its genesis as Dr Pert's PhD thesis and it is evident from the detailed research and contextualization of issues that the topic was a labor of love.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

9781862879874

xx, 268 p. ; 25 cm