Lisa Singh (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Bob Carr, and, in asking it, I congratulate him on his work in securing our seat on the UN Security Council. Can the minister inform the Senate of how the Asian century white paper will strengthen Australia's diplomatic and strategic relationship in Asia?

Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The habit of consulting Asia and linking with Asia is now well and truly upon us. The government's white paper, Australia in the Asian century, is a road map for the next 20 years. It is the most comprehensive statement of government policy on Asian engagement since the 1989 Garnaut report, Australia and the northeast Asian ascendancy.

By 2025, Asia will account for almost half the world's economic output and this is our plan to be engaged with and to benefit from that great shift in power. We will develop comprehensive country strategies with a focus on our key partners China, India, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea. Australia is expanding its diplomatic footprint in Asia and opening a new embassy in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and consulates in Shenyang in China, Phuket in Thailand and eastern Indonesia.

Our new mission in Chengdu in China's Szechuan province will provide a direct link to a diverse population of over 80 million people in one of China's fastest-growing inland regions. We will appoint a dedicated Jakarta-based ambassador to ASEAN to identify business opportunities, promote our education services and work with ASEAN across our security agenda.

I was honoured to speak last week with the visiting foreign minister of Myanmar—and that is the nomenclature I use; the Australian in my feature article today edited it and rendered 'Myanmar' as 'Burma'. But I advise the House to use the word—

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm glad you cleared that up!

Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I anticipated your criticisms. I would strongly recommend the use of 'Myanmar'. But the foreign minister of Myanmar said that he regards Australians as Asians. I think that is a measure of the transformation of this country. (Time expired)

Lisa Singh (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. What is the government doing to build education links between Australia and Asia?

Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Over the next five years, in fact, the government will provide 12,000 scholarships under the Australia Awards for Asian students to study in Australia. Under the plan, young Australians will also be given the opportunity to live and study in Asia.

The Australia Awards, 10 times larger than the former Colombo Plan, allow for both formal study and professional development opportunities. Students under the awards are studying in fields critical to their governments' future: health, education and rural development. Women receive almost 50 per cent of all long-term awards, confirming Australia's commitment to improving the lives of women through education. And the government will expand work and holiday programs in Asia, starting with 1,000 places for Indonesians.

Lisa Singh (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Is the minister aware of any alternative views on Australia's regional engagement strategy?

Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In a word, yes. From the signing of the 1957 trade agreement with Japan to the Howard government's response to the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, traditionally there has been bipartisan support. Today, however, that bipartisanship is strained by a coalition desire to narrow the foreign policy focus and to limit Australia's focus to 'the Anglo sphere'. Talk of a 'Neighbourhood Watch scheme for Western values' I brand out of date—I brand it simplistic. It fails to capture the depth and breadth of Australia's interest in and commitment to Asia.

We have a big choice in foreign policy here: this government, engaged globally with this special focus on Asia and what it represents to Australia, and a coalition who want to beat a retreat to what they call 'the Anglo sphere'. (Time expired)