After 11 years of Conservative Party leadership under Prime Minister John Howard, Australia is now led by a new Labor administration with a man nicknamed “Saint Kevin” at the helm. Since the election of Kevin Rudd, “Many Australians are saying for the first time they are proud to be Australian,” May Samali, the President of the Sydney University Politics Society, told the HPR.

On his first day in office Rudd ratified the Kyoto Protocol, and in February he received a standing ovation in Parliament for apologizing to indigenous Australians for historical mistreatment. With a cabinet consisting of rock star Peter Garrett and Penny Wong, the first openly gay and Asian-born cabinet members in Australia, respectively, Rudd is initiating changes from the inside. But how and to what extent will this new administration be able to impact the international community?

Australia’s Environmental Leadership
Rudd has openly committed Australia to standing at the forefront of the worldwide effort against global warming; climate change is at the top of his agenda. However, Australia is a “middle power” in terms of international influence, and many experts believe that Rudd’s policies, however farsighted, will not inspire the great powers in international politics to take action. As Michael Hogan, a lecturer in politics at Sydney University, told the HPR, Australia’s leadership “is mainly symbolic.” Fellow lecturer Shelly Savage added that “India, China, and Russia are more likely to be influenced by the U.S. stance rather than the Australian position.”

But the dynamics of environmental politics remain unpredictable. Dr. John Mikler, who has had ten years of experience with the Australian Commonwealth Public Service, told the HPR, “The U.S. appeared a global pariah at [the climate conference in] Bali.” If the U.S. continues to approach the issue lethargically, it may become increasingly irrelevant in negotiations and, thereby, open a window for Rudd’s progressive leadership. Dr. Charlotte Epstein, a lecturer in politics at Sydney University, told the HPR that “at the Bali conference the Chinese delegation was one of the most proactive and constructive.” Depending on future negotiations with China, the effects of Australia’s leadership on the international community may be more potent than expected from a country whose influence has traditionally been limited.

Australia, China and the U.S.
Given Rudd’s personal expertise in China, it is likely that he will follow the tide of international affairs and shift his focus to Asia. As Epstein explained to the HPR, “The centers of power are multiplying and moving increasingly east.” Rudd is fluent in Mandarin, majored in Chinese language while in college, and was Australia’s Ambassador to Beijing in the 1980s. At the first senior-level talks between the U.S. and Rudd’s administration, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte described Rudd as a “China expert” who could act as a bridge between Beijing and the West. Negroponte’s comments reflect American interest in Australia as a strategic partner in negotiations with China. Mikler told the HPR that, under Rudd, “The relationship will be a partnership of equals, rather than the abdication of Australia’s sovereignty to the U.S.” If the U.S. comes to rely on Rudd’s ties with China, Australia will enjoy increased prominence on the global stage.

Looking Ahead
Particularly as Australia develops its trade relations by exporting minerals and services, its internationalist perspective will strengthen. Hogan told the HPR that Australia will most likely play “big brother” to most of the small Pacific island nations and New Guinea and will take a larger role in the regional caucuses of East and Southeast Asia. However, with limited military forces, Australia will not play a major role in American involvements such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan. Rather, said Hogan, “Australia will retain some reputation as an ‘honest broker’ in world affairs.” To have this honesty reserved only for middle powers engaged in symbolic acts would be a shame. Rudd’s expertise in Chinese affairs, desire to address climate change, and forward-thinking domestic policies could push Australia’s profile onto the international stage and, perhaps, enable the country to inspire change around the world.]]>http://hprsite.squarespace.com/australia-at-the-rudder-042008/rss-comments-entry-1800450.xml