The case for complacency about Australia’s engagement with Asia

As inextricably tied to Asia as the Australian economy might be, we are also deeply politically engaged with the region.

From Paul Keating’s enthusiasm for the idea of Australia as a member of the community of Asian nations, to John Howard’s emphasis of our Asian geography, Australia has long been politically part of Asia.

Both sides of politics recognise that Beijing, Jakarta and New Delhi are now as vital to Australia as London and Washington ever were.

The spread of our diplomatic efforts reflects Australia’s clear focus on Asia: Australia’s 251 diplomats in Asia dwarf our 92 diplomats serving in Europe and the 67 posted to the Americas.

The argument that Australia needs to engage with Asia also fails to see that Australian society is in a crucial sense already Asian.

The 2011 Census showed that there are 1.7 million or so Asian-born Australians, representing 8 per cent of the population.

Added to this, there are approximately 2.2 million Australians who speak Asian languages at home, which equates to around 1 in 10 Australians.

Engaging with Asia is not something Australians are yet to do; millions of Australians already have strong familial and cultural connections with Asian countries.

This large pool of Asia-savvy Australians is set to grow. In Australia’s permanent migration program, 7 of the top 10 source countries in 2011–12 were from Asia—India, China, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, South Korea and Vietnam.

Australia’s integration into Asia is clearly not a national project that requires the heavy hand of government to be completed.

It is already well and truly underway in our boardrooms, classrooms and backyards.

And given the irresistible economic, political and social forces binding Australia ever closer to Asia, our engagement with the region will continue apace.