The Values and Motivations of Australian Defence Policy

Justin Arnold

In Australia both sides of politics whether they are Labor or Liberal frame defence policy in the context of promoting their own vision of Australian values with the strategic aim of furthering their own political interests. During the 2001 federal election campaign the Howard Government politicised the ADF with its ‘We will decide who comes to this country and the circumstances in which they come’ theme. Howard chose to revive the values systems of the Menzies Era and of the ‘Great Australian Settlement’. With this Howard brought up deep-seated fears in the Australian population by using the ADF against ‘the Yellow Peril’ of asylum seekers and against ‘the Red Menace’. Howard with these actions has brought the international and domestic reputation of the ADF into disrepute in the pursuit of his own political interests.

Kevin Rudd on the other hand is utilising the ADF in an imperial benevolent manner to promote his Victorian era social values of Social-Democratic Liberal- Institutionalism into the Asia-Pacific region and this can be seen in the Defence White Paper 2009. The values based approach of the Rudd Labor Government, are also being promoted domestically with the Strategic Reform Agenda in which the government is attempting to change the strategic culture of the ADF. The projection of a values based liberal-institutional systems of governance for the ADF by the Rudd Labor government with the Strategic Reform Program is a currently facing severe challenges. The reform of Australian strategic values both internal and external is essential if the ADF is to become capable force that will secure our values based goals and strategic interests into the Asia-Pacific Century by 2030.

The visit of the United States fleet is universally popular here… because of our distrust of the Yellow Race in the north Pacific and our recognition of the ‘entente cordiale’ spreading among all white men who realise the Yellow Peril to Caucasian civilisation, creeds and politics. Alfred Deakin

Australian Defence Policy since the time of federation in 1901 has been a reflection of the values systems of the current political party in power. Under both governments, conservative and progressive, defence policy has had both an external as well as internal values components. In analysing whether Australian Defence Policy is more affected by values or interests, both the internal and external aspects of defence policy, both the formulation of policy by government and how it is applied within the Australian Defence Force (ADF) will be examined. In both its written and applied forms Australian Defence Policy has traditionally been since the time Deakin’s ‘Great White Fleet’ speech been based upon countering a perceived threat of an overpopulated and culturally backwards Asia to our North. The latest manifestation of Australian Defence Policy as found within the Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century: Force 2030 Defence White Paper 2009 the Rudd Labor government has chosen to retain some of the historical nature of defence policy. To add to this the Rudd Labor government is seeking to implement an agenda of change to the values based strategic culture of the ADF through its Strategic Reform Program.

Essay Topics: Universal Military Training

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The first scheme of universal training came into operation on the 1st of January 111. The Minister for Defense presented a comprehensive report on the progress of the scheme for the period between 111 and to June 11. Annual statistics for the number of registrations, medical examinations and exemptions under the universal training scheme are included in the Official Year Book of the Commonwealth. The scheme had a monumental rate of success. The junior cadets were abolished in June 1, and universal military training and the holding of military camps were suspended from the 1st of November 1, pending a general review of defense policy. Prime Minister Alfred Deakin introduced a bill providing for universal training to Parliament in 10. It was a measure with broad parliamentary support, having been adopted by the Opposition Labor Party at its 108 conference. At the invitation of Deakin, Field Marshal Viscount Kitchener of Great Britain visited Australia in 10 to inspect the existing state of defense preparedness of the young Commonwealth, and advise on the best means of providing Australia with a land defense. Kitcheners report, submitted in February 110 recommended the introduction of compulsory military training. Australian troops fighting overseas in World War I enlisted voluntarily. As the enormity of Australian casualties on the Western Front became known in Australia and no quick end to the war seemed likely the number of men volunteering fell steadily.

Australia's Prime Ministers, From Barton to Howard

Alfred Deakin: The Protectionist 24 September 1903 - 27 April 1904 5 July 1905 ... just over six months in opposition, Deakin was prime minister yet again. ...

People in power

(1856-1919) Edmund Barton was Australia's first Prime Minister after Federation in 1901. However, his successor in 1903, Alfred Deakin, ...

Northern Territory, further correspondence between the Prime Minister and the Premier of South Australia relative to the transfer of the Northern Territory to the Commonwealth

Current opinion

Mr. Alfred Deakin, prime minister of Australia, expressed his general agreement with these views. All the prime ministers wish the colonial conference to ...

Current literature

Sir Wilfrid in Canada, General Botha in the Transvaal, Sir Joseph Ward in New Zealand, and Mr. Alfred Deakin in Australia, all prime ministers in a ...