Quote:
Lowy Institute polling shows that while ordinary Australians recognise the economic benefits of dealing with China they are concerned about the giant nation's intentions.
That has led them to hew more closely to the security offered by the US alliance: "A classic hedging strategy," Mr Shearer says.
The alliance can give Australia the strategic confidence and strength to intensify its economic ties with China over the coming years, he says.
Quote:
So here's an interesting counter-factual: What if Spender had fallen short and Australia had accepted US offers of a 'non-binding presidential declaration that America would come to Australia's assistance', or a similar consultative agreement?
US policy in the Asia Pacific would probably have been near identical. Washington had interests in our region unrelated to Australian security. Australia at best helped shape these interests to better suit ourselves, but US desire for hegemony preceded its close relationship with Australia.
So, Australia's material security would likely have been near-identical. We just wouldn't have felt as secure. As such, we would likely have spent much more on our military, and probably been much more determined to obtain a nuclear weapon.
