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dc.contributor.authorByrne, Caitlin
dc.contributor.authorWest, Lucy
dc.contributor.editorByrne, Caitlin
dc.contributor.editorWest, Lucy
dc.date.accessioned2019-12-16T00:40:54Z
dc.date.available2019-12-16T00:40:54Z
dc.date.issued2019
dc.identifier.isbn9781925455892
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10072/389797
dc.description.abstractThe 2019 State of the Neighbourhood report draws on a wealth of knowledge and expertise from the Griffith Asia Institute’s industry and academic partners. This year our authors hone in on topics of significance for Australia and its neighbourhood, to provide an overview of the region’s key foreign, economic and development issues to inform government, industry and community leaders. Rowan Callick, Industry Fellow Griffith Asia Institute, again sets the tone for the report in his overview of the major political developments that have gripped the region. Callick argues that many of last year’s key challenges remain powerfully present, including economic nationalism, creeping authoritarianism and the People’s Republic of China’s global ambitions, clearly playing out through Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative. In addition to these issues, 2019 has seen the United States and some Asian corporations pursue a policy of decoupling from China, a renewed interest in Pacific island countries, in particular from Australian politicians, and Beijing’s economic diplomacy used to test the loyalty of partnerships in the region. ‘One Belt, One Road, Many Tests’ draws our attention to the strategic trends playing out in the neighbourhood to inform Australian government and industry leaders. The ‘Asia Pacific 2020 Economic Outlook’ takes stock of the neighbourhood’s economic forecast in response to protectionist trade measures and a China slowdown. Tony Makin notes that Australia’s economic growth remains heavily dependent on international trade and investment links with the rest of the world, making Australia vulnerable to external shifts in the global market. Forecasting events, Australian policy makers and industry leaders are likely to witness significant developments in the economic landscape. Makin notes that predictions India is on track to out-perform China by 2020 have reinvigorated calls for India’s accession into the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) grouping. This year the neighbourhood is also likely to see the finalisation of the long awaited Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) free trade agreement, confirming what would be the economic architecture of the Indo-Pacific. Once in effect it will be the world’s largest trading bloc and the economic outcomes for Australian exporters are expected to be substantial. Caitlin Byrne in ‘The State in the Neighbourhood’ provides a snapshot of Queensland’s engagement in the Asia Pacific. As the strategic dynamics of the neighbourhood change shape, Byrne notes that the case for deepening Queensland’s Asia-Pacific engagement has never been more vital. Drawing on discussions with Trade and Investment Queensland Commissioners to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Indonesia, we are provided with a view of the state’s global presence, key successes and some gaps that persist when it comes to Queensland’s Asia-Pacific engagement. Byrne provides practical steps for government and industry leaders to move forward in deepening Queensland’s engagement with its Asia- Pacific neighbourhood, including through soft power initiatives and sustained investment in cultural and gender diversity to better navigate the region’s nuanced business and political landscapes. The “Pacific step-up” has become something of an article of faith when it comes to Australian foreign policy, particularly in terms of the way it has been embraced on a very personal basis by Scott Morrison as Prime Minister. Tess Newton Cain interrogates the flurry of activity, including the various announcements and visits made by Australian politicians, and argues that there is no denying the quantity of engagement points between Australia and Pacific island partner countries has increased exponentially in recent times. ‘The State of the Step-Up’ examines whether quantity has translated to quality and identifies some ways in which the Australian government and private sector can enhance their engagement with Pacific island countries going forward through practical measures such as enhancing business linkages. Climate change adaptation is often described as a local issue and therefore the responsibility of local governments and communities. But as Johanna Nalau argues, the private sector has an increasingly important role to play in delivering effective and robust climate adaption strategies. Nalau brings our attention to how changing climate conditions will disrupt existing supply chains, but also create new opportunities for innovative product development and delivery. Thinking ahead in this space will see many businesses working in partnership with governments and the public to develop stronger more resilient and equal communities and economies. Nalau shows us how the Australian private sector can demonstrate leadership in the delivery of social and environmental benefits to communities while also ensuring business continuity in a changing climate. The rule of law is often labelled as the closest thing operating to a universal political ideal, yet it has by no means been accompanied by a universal application. Lucy West, and Leong Tsu Quin of ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights, partner to assess the current state of the rule of law in South East Asia. Together West and Leong Tsu present an overview of the region’s rule of law landscape and highlight concerning trends including the rise of authoritarian politics, human rights violations and the suppression of activist voices. They write that a richer understanding of South East Asia’s rule of law landscape will help Australian businesses to better navigate commercial and regulatory environments. With the Australian business community eager to increase investments in the region, it will only become increasingly important for the Australian private sector to actively support a more robust rule of law in the region for long-term corporate success. Nowhere else in the world is there a greater need for investment to address environmental water issues than the Asia-Pacific region, and especially South East Asia. Stuart Bunn, Mark Kennard and Sue Jackson of the Australian Rivers Institute at Griffith University, highlight the need to invest in environmentally sustainable water management in the Asia Pacific for environmental and economic security. By 2050 it is estimated that up to 3.4 billion people could be living in water-stressed areas given the projected increases in water demand for food production, domestic supply, manufacturing and electricity production. Bunn, Kennard and Jackson present how water will become a constraint on economic growth in a number of countries unless significant effort is directed toward improved water management. Growing concerns about the environmental and social costs of water pollution and over-allocation will undoubtedly stimulate further demand for Australian expertise over the coming decade and open up new opportunities for private-sector investment in on-ground water governance projects.
dc.publisherGriffith University
dc.publisher.placeBrisbane
dc.publisher.urihttps://www.griffith.edu.au/asia-institute/partnerships-collaborations/state-of-the-neighbourhood
dc.subject.fieldofresearchGovernment and politics of Asia and the Pacific
dc.subject.fieldofresearchcode440807
dc.titleState of the Neighbourhood 2019
dc.typeReport
dc.type.descriptionU2 - Reviews/Reports
dcterms.bibliographicCitationByrne, C; West, L, State of the Neighbourhood 2019, 2019
dc.date.updated2019-12-15T22:48:59Z
dc.description.versionVersion of Record (VoR)
gro.rights.copyright© 2019 Griffith Asia Institute and the Author(s). The attached file is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Please refer to the publisher’s website for further information.
gro.hasfulltextFull Text
gro.griffith.authorByrne, Caitlin R.


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