Revisiting “expeditionary operations” in Australian defence policy Introduction
I thank you all for making this journey to Bita Paka and hope that all of us here today remember our servicemen and women, those who served in decades past and those who continue to serve today.
It is up to all of us to ensure their legacy lives on. (senator michael ronaldson REMARKS AT THE BITA PAKA COMMEMORATIVE EVENT, 11 September, 2014)
The fight in Bita Paka was Australia’s very first campaign during the First World War which was also the very beginning of Australia’s expeditionary journey. For the servicemen and women who “continue to serve today”, things have changed quite a lot: the battlefield, the mission, the weapon and the world. Then, how can we …show more content…
It is organized by exploring three themes: what do we mean by “expeditionary operations” in Australian defence policy; why do they matter; and what kinds of expeditionary operations are most important. With exploring these questions, it concludes that in Australian defence policy, expeditionary operations are the offspring of the colonial history legacy which cultivated Australia’s continent ethos and sea insecurity. Therefore the level of Australia’s commitment to certain offshore campaigns and the way to support them largely depends on where the operations will be conducted and how Australia perceives the role of its major ally- the U.S. in those missions. Accordingly, an operation of necessity, an operation of strategy and an operation of choice are most important to protect Australia’s interests in the immediate neighbourhood, in the Asia(Indo)-Pacific region and in the global theatre …show more content…
People cannot gain a better understanding of expeditionary operations without knowing its relation with DoA in Australian defence policy. Defending the continent always tops the agenda of Australia’s core interests in policy making while expeditionary campaign is unquestionably the dominant model in practice. Admittedly, this seems, at first glance, a worrying relationship. But this is essentially an indicator of Australia’s managing the dilemma in its strategic insecurities. On the one hand, as mentioned, with a long dependence on the super power in maritime issues, Australia thinks it is not strong enough to defend its interests on the sea(referenced), thus seeking alliances with the dominant powers is the top solution. In return, sending Australian force offshore to support the great powers for their global interests becomes an indispensable factor in preserving the alliance. On the other hand, despite the bond of culture, value and history, Australia’s geographic remoteness makes it insecure about whether the great powers can and will provide the help when they are most wanted. And the fall of Singapore in 1942 validated this concern. Thus, insisting on prioritizing the defence of the continent through self-alliance in defence policy is the way for securing Australia’s best
I thank you all for making this journey to Bita Paka and hope that all of us here today remember our servicemen and women, those who served in decades past and those who continue to serve today.
It is up to all of us to ensure their legacy lives on. (senator michael ronaldson REMARKS AT THE BITA PAKA COMMEMORATIVE EVENT, 11 September, 2014)
The fight in Bita Paka was Australia’s very first campaign during the First World War which was also the very beginning of Australia’s expeditionary journey. For the servicemen and women who “continue to serve today”, things have changed quite a lot: the battlefield, the mission, the weapon and the world. Then, how can we …show more content…
It is organized by exploring three themes: what do we mean by “expeditionary operations” in Australian defence policy; why do they matter; and what kinds of expeditionary operations are most important. With exploring these questions, it concludes that in Australian defence policy, expeditionary operations are the offspring of the colonial history legacy which cultivated Australia’s continent ethos and sea insecurity. Therefore the level of Australia’s commitment to certain offshore campaigns and the way to support them largely depends on where the operations will be conducted and how Australia perceives the role of its major ally- the U.S. in those missions. Accordingly, an operation of necessity, an operation of strategy and an operation of choice are most important to protect Australia’s interests in the immediate neighbourhood, in the Asia(Indo)-Pacific region and in the global theatre …show more content…
People cannot gain a better understanding of expeditionary operations without knowing its relation with DoA in Australian defence policy. Defending the continent always tops the agenda of Australia’s core interests in policy making while expeditionary campaign is unquestionably the dominant model in practice. Admittedly, this seems, at first glance, a worrying relationship. But this is essentially an indicator of Australia’s managing the dilemma in its strategic insecurities. On the one hand, as mentioned, with a long dependence on the super power in maritime issues, Australia thinks it is not strong enough to defend its interests on the sea(referenced), thus seeking alliances with the dominant powers is the top solution. In return, sending Australian force offshore to support the great powers for their global interests becomes an indispensable factor in preserving the alliance. On the other hand, despite the bond of culture, value and history, Australia’s geographic remoteness makes it insecure about whether the great powers can and will provide the help when they are most wanted. And the fall of Singapore in 1942 validated this concern. Thus, insisting on prioritizing the defence of the continent through self-alliance in defence policy is the way for securing Australia’s best