Australia's foreign policy bankruptcy The Australian government some years ago identified, in the country's national interest, four nations with which it should maintain strong links - Indonesia, China, Japan and the United States. In the current crisis over refugees, however, none of these offered Australia assistance. Purnendra JainĘ writes that Australians will now learn the hard way how crucial it is to assess accurately where national interests really lie. (Sep 12) Full text
Howard's American dream in tatters With the United States sealed up, Australian Prime Minister John Howard, like thousands of other travelers, remains stranded in America. His planned address to the Congress has been abandoned, as has his trip to New York. Howard, pledging support for whatever kind of retaliation the White House takes, says that "now is the time for calm but lethal response". (Sep 12) Full text
Qantas shares sink as investors react Investors are shedding Qantas Airways shares as security fears grip airlines across the globe. The loss of earnings as a result of the grounding of all Amercan flights has also shaken investors. Qantas has made its final decision regarding financially stricken airline Ansett and has refused to become involved, saying that "Ansett's problems are far too great for Qantas to take on." (Sep 12) Full text
Qantas strike continues despite US attacks Full text
Businesses in Australia keep their cool Australian companies are coming to terms with how the US events will likely affect business. QBE Insurance Group's exposures to the US terrorist attacks are protected by way of reinsurance. Financial service giant AMP has warned that the group's investment returns may be negatively impacted. Property company Westfield Holdings, which held a retail lease in New York's World Trade Center, remains unfazed. Full text
Australian branches of US companies open Full text
International mail put on hold Australian communication services are warning of delays following the attacks in the US. Mail and freight has been offloaded from flights due to tightened airline security, and international mail deliveries to and from Australia will be delayed for up to 24 hours. SingTel, Cable & Wireless Optus' new owner, is alerting its customers to difficulties in calling the United States. (Sep 11) Full text
Asylum seekers: Judge rules against Canberra The Australian government could end up with egg on its face now that a federal court has overruled its decision to reject over 400 asylum seekers. The government has until Friday to return them to Australian soil, but is appealing the ruling. Meanwhile, the boat people continue their journey to Papua New Guinea, and the tiny Pacific island of Nauru tots up the incentives offered by Australian Prime Minister John Howard to accept some of the refugees. Lewis Richards reports. (Sep 11) Full text
Australia: The pawn in Bush's stride Australian Prime Minister John Howard has given the strongest indication yet Australia could become a part the United States' National Missile Defense System. After meeting with US President George W Bush, Howard indicated that Australian facilities, such as those at Pine Gap and Nurrungar, would be used if the program became operational. A statement released after talks said that the two leaders "agreed that missile defense could play a role in strengthening deterrence and stability". (Sep 11) Full text
PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT Fiji's new prime minister faces problems; Nauru makes asylum deal with Australia; Saipan releases drug seizure figures; China donates generators to Papua New Guinea ... (Sep 11) Full text
Singapore government reconsiders SingTel As Singapore Telecommunications prepares for Tuesday's debut on the Australian Stock Exchange, the Singapore government is considering reducing its 65 percent stake in the company. SingTel's president has described allegations that SingTel was spying on Australia, or was part of some plan "to do something bad in Australia" as "outrageous" and "just absurd". (Sep 10) Full text
Australia unlikely to change rates again Most economists are saying that the Reserve Bank of Australia will not change the overnight cash rate again for the rest of the year, despite the gloomy world outlook. Some are predicting that the RBA will hike rates by 25 basis points in the first or second quarter of next calendar year, while the cash rate will be returned to a neutral setting of 5.5 percent by mid-2002. (Sep 7) Full text
PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT Chaudhry claims Fiji vote rigged; WW II weapons explode in Saipan; Japan funds dock on Ejit Island; scientist warn about mussels from Fiji river ... (Sep 7) Full text
Australia in the shadow of the giant When Australian Prime Minister John Howard visits Washington next week he will, among other things, be pushing hard for a free trade agreement with the United States. Purnendra Jain and John Bruni write that if one couples this with Australia's already strong security ties to the US, it would seem obvious that Canberra has given up on the idea of determining its own destiny. (Sep 6) Full text
Gold producers seek Eldorado in Australia South Africa's AngloGold has submitted a takeover offer to Normandy Mining. While this reflects the increasing attractiveness of Australian gold stocks to offshore players, it also shows their vulnerability. If AngloGold's bid is successful it will swallow Australia's biggest producer, and result in 30 percent of the Australian gold sector disappearing overseas. (Sep 6) Full text
Cairns group calls for WTO action Australia is standing beside the Cairns Group in its call for the World Trade Organization to make substantial cuts to agriculture tariffs and subsidies and improve market access for agriculture exporting nations. Farmers in both developed and developing countries are hurt by protection in agricultural commodities. (Sep 6) Full text
PACIFIC BEAT Blighted Bougainville Like many Pacific races, Bougainvilleans have been passed around like after-dinner mints since the age of European colonization in the 16th Century. Only now, though, has Bougainville gained political and bureaucratic autonomy from Papua New Guinea. Alan Boyd hopes that its evolution into full independence does not take as long. (Sep 5) Full text
Australia first, at its peril The latest refugee crisis in which Australia refuses to allow asylum seekers to land on its shores has thrown into stark relief Canberra's stance on the issue. Purnendra Jain writes that while the administration's policy might score high marks with voters, it fails dismally in humanitarian terms. (Aug 30) Full text
