Subjects
Subscribe
Search Skwirk
Year 9 NSW
»
Geography
»
Australia in its global context
»
Australia's global links
Topic : Australia's global links
In this topic you will learn...
Chapter 1 :
Defence
Australian defence policies have been shaped by the increase of cross-border linkages and global population movement
Defence policies have recently converged more strongly with the United States
Australia's defence forces have contributed to international peacekeeping by serving in combat operations and acting as UN and multinational peacekeepers
Examples of this include Australia's deployment of a UN multinational force to East Timor at its break for independence from Indonesia
Australia is involved in international disarmament forums which include the UN Conference on Disarmament
Chapter 2 :
Political links
Australia's strongest political links are in the Asia-Pacific region
The most influential countries in this region are China, Japan, and the United States
Australia was one of the first countries to join the United Nations (UN)
Australia participates in treaties and agreements such as ASEAN and ANZUS
Australia's political involvement with Papua New Guinea and other South Pacific island nations is another ongoing link
Australia is an active member of the Commonwealth of Nations
Chapter 3 :
Multilateral aid and the United Nations
Australia's international aid programme focuses on the Asia-Pacific region and the poorest parts of East Asia but also contributes to development needs in South Asian, African and Middle Eastern countries
Aid is implemented through a cooperative approach with international partners at the World Summit on Sustainable Development
Australia`s multilateral aid differs from its bilateral aid in channelling all forms of assistance by developed countries through international organisations such as the United Nations, the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Roughly 30 per cent of Australia`s aid budget is spent on multilateral global programmes which are used to fund emergency relief projects, refugee assistance, large-scale construction of railways, roads, and other development projects, as well as scientific research of disease and global warming issues
Australia is involved with Commonwealth organisations in promoting shared values of democracy and the rule of law, human rights, equity, access to education and sustainable development
Chapter 4 :
Migration
Each year nearly half a million people arrive in Australia, with approximately 13% of these coming from Britain and New Zealand, 7% from China, 6% from India and 5% from South Africa
Migrants seek entry into Australia for many reasons, including the desire for employment, or a humanitarian need for better living conditions
One-quarter of Australia's 19.9 million people were born overseas, reflecting a high number of cultures, races and religions that didn't previously exist prior to the end of the Second World War
The increasing shift in the overseas sources of migrants from European to other countries has brought many cultural, economic and geopolitical changes
Positive impacts include the increase of demand for infrastructure through the spending by migrants on food and housing, the expansion of regional business and investment links and additions to levels of labour and skills brought by migrants
Chapter 5 :
Trade
Australia's political and cultural links with other countries are reinforced by trade and investment, with its high reliance on imports
Australia's current trade and economic policies reflect the attempt at tackling problems such as foreign debt and unemployment
Although Australia relies heavily on its overseas foreign investment and employers, it is also a high exporter of goods, services and capital
Australia belongs to trading blocs, including the
Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement
(CER), the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
(APEC) group, and the
Association of South-East Asian Nations
(ASEAN)
Free Trade Area
(AFTA).
Australia aims to negotiate free trade agreements, in particular with the United States and Thailand, strengthen trade and economic relations with Japan, Korea and China, and to assist the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
(APEC) group in facilitating trade and corporate governance
Australia's largest trading partners include the European Union (EU), which was established to remove barriers to the free movement of capital, labour and services within Europe and to establish trade barriers against non-member countries
Chapter 6 :
Tourism and sport
Australia`s contemporary cultural links with other countries are reflected in its tourism and sport
The importance of tourism to Australia is seen in the number of Australians which travel overseas and, in turn, the thousands of overseas tourists visiting Australia each year
Tourism has been Australia`s single largest source of foreign exchange dollars and a significant source of employment and economic growth
The recent high tourism share of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is reflected in part by the impact of the 2000 Olympic Games
Sport is considered by some to be a national `religion` or `obsession` in Australia because of the influence it has on our culture, value systems and forms of expression
Australia has a competitive world profile in soccer, rugby union and Tri-Nation rugby union tests, and boxing, cycling, golf, middle-distance running, motor cycle racing, pole vaulting, swimming and tennis
Topic Summary
Audio Summary
Play
|
Download
Text Summary
This topic includes
36 colour images
5 flash animations
1 final exam
ToolBox
Increase text size
Print this page
EMPTY?