Interview on ABC2

Subjects: 2020 Summit

Philip Williams: As part of this weekend's process, each of the streams has a Government Minister co-chairing the discussions. The chair of the Security stream is Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith. I spoke to him a short while ago and began by asking him what he has seen he really likes.

Stephen Smith: I suppose, firstly, the mood is one of optimism. Optimism that Australia can do more and can do better as a nation. And I must say I found that really encouraging. Yes, there is a whole lot of detail, but if you asked me what is the one thing that's come out of it, it is really optimistic that Australia can be a good international citizen and can be an effective player in global affairs.

In terms of specific or particular issues or items if you like, there is a very strong view, which I share, that we have got to do better so far as languages are concerned.

We have got to have more young Australians learning and studying and speaking foreign languages, particularly Asian languages, particularly from our region, whether it’s Indonesian, whether it’s Chinese, whether it’s Japanese, or whether it’s Korean.

This is something we need to do to really clinch or engage in the region.

Philip Williams: Almost at every turn, in all of the sessions it comes down to China. China looms large in so many of these discussions, and of course in your area too. What action is being considered in your security area that covers China?

Stephen Smith: Well, I wouldn't necessarily agree with that analysis that it is all about China. Yes, obviously China is emerging in the course of this century. And for Australia over the last 30 years, we have seen firstly our early recognition of China, then we have seen a growing economic relationship, particularly with minerals and petroleum resources. Now, it is more broadly based than that. This year we saw our first strategic dialogue with China. Obviously our engagement with China in this century will increase, as it should.

But there is also the emergence and rise of India which has been the subject of focus. How does Australia deal with in the course of this century the emergence of China and India. My response to that is that we have got a number of key bilateral relationships which we need to pursue and continue.

Philip Williams: Of course that in-built security tension isn't there between our relationship with the United States on one hand and this growing colossus of China and India as well.

Stephen Smith: Well, I don't believe that you have to have or need to have a bilateral relationship with one country which is at the cost of another. It is not a zero sum game here. It can be win win. Our alliance, for example, with the United States continues to be the bedrock of our strategic and security and defence arrangements.

Our emerging relationship with China doesn't have to be at the cost of that; just as our ongoing partnership with Japan, which is an economic and strategic and security partnership with Japan, or our desire to do much more with India. None of these things have to be at the cost of the other nations. Indeed it is not just Australia wanting to have a good bilateral relationship with each of these countries. We want those countries as well to have good bilateral relations with each other.

Philip Williams: How are these issues all playing out in the security area you are in charge of?

Stephen Smith: If you said thematically what is the focus of the conversations, I think firstly it is wanting Australia to be a good international citizen, wanting Australia to be respected in the world but also to be respectful, wanting Australia to be a respected player, partner and leader in our own region, but also putting our view internationally.

There is a recognition that a lot of the issues in security, that are emerging these days, aren't necessarily the old style issues of individual nations states and their military or defence assets.

They are transnational. So you have got transnational crime, terrorism, the threat of pandemic, the worry about food or energy security, and the adverse consequences from climate change. All of these things tell us that often there is a futility in trying to do things alone. You have to do things with other nation states, do it together, which is reflected by a theme in my session, which is we need Australia to be engaged in international institutions. It helps Australia to be engaged in the United Nations, to be engaged in the World Trade Organisation, or even the IMF. Making our point of view in an international institution is very, very helpful in the modern era.

Philip Williams: We know you have to get back to the conference, thanks very much for your time.

Stephen Smith: Thanks Philip.

Ends

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