Malcolm Fraser on Australia - US Relations in the Asian Century

As part of a public lecture series questioning Australia's Role in the World, Asialink is proud to present former Prime Minister of Australia The Right HonorableMalcolm Fraser for an exploration of Australia-US ties in the context of a rising Asia.

Malcolm Fraser writes: At the end of the Cold War many hoped the next century could be one of peace, of progress, of the alleviation of poverty and of establishing a fairer law based world. Instead we see Australia, largely in response to United States initiatives, taking part in two wars which have no direct bearing on Australia’s future. We also see the United States taking steps to tie Australia ever more strongly into the American orbit. At a time when Australia should have exercised more independence as a middle power, we have lost reputation internationally by subservience to the United States and by our failure to work with other independently minded nations for a better world.

Join us for what is set to be a provocative and stimulating discussion that will also feature comment from Asialink International Director Professor Tony Milner and Professor Richard Tanter of Melbourne University's School of Political and Social Studies.

Australia’s Role in the World public lecture series is a partnership initiative between The University of Melbourne, the Australian Institute of International Affairs and UN Youth Australia aimed at engaging young people, academia and the wider public in debate about major global issues.

About the Speakers

Malcolm Fraser

The Right Honorable Malcolm Fraser AC CH

Malcolm Fraser served as Australia’s 22nd Prime Minister from 1975-1983. Since leaving government Mr Fraser has played an eminent role in international relations including chairing the United Nations hearings in New York, Co-Chairman of the Commonwealth Committee of Eminent Persons in 1989 and Chairman of the United Nations Committee on African Commodity Problems. Mr Fraser was Chairman of CARE Australia from 1987-2001 and President of CARE International from 1990-1995.

Mr Fraser is a Senior Advisor of the International Crisis Group, Honorary Chairman of InterAction Council and a member of the Asia Pacific Leadership Network for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament.

Tony Milner

Professor Tony Milner AM

As International Director of Asialink Professor Milner has been a driving force behind Asialink’s Track II initiatives in Asia (including the ‘Asialink Conversations’ and the ‘ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Dialogue). He is also Basham Professor of Asian History at the Australian National University and was formerly director of the Academy of Social Science's project on 'Australia-Asia Perceptions'. He has held a range of visiting appointments in the United States, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia. He is co-chair of the Australian Committee of the Council for Security Co-operation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP), and writes in The Australian, the Australian Financial Review and other papers.

Richard Tanter

Professor Richard Tanter

Richard Tanter is Professor in the School of Political and Social Studies at the University of Melbourne where he teaches principally on nuclear weapons issues, and Senior Research Associate at the Nautilus Institute. From 2004 – 2010 he was Professor of International Relations in the Research and Innovation Portfolio, RMIT University, and Director of Nautilus Institute Australia. From 1989-2003 Richard was Professor of International Relations at Kyoto Seika University in Japan. From 2003-2007, he was Senior Curriculum Consultant to Deakin University for its Security Studies masters program at the Australian Defence College’s Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies.

This lecture is jointly hostedby Asialink andThe University of Melbourne's Engagement Division

Event Details

DATE: Tuesday 25 September 2012

TIME: 6:30pm - 8pm

VENUE: Carrillo Gantner Theatre, Sidney Myer Asia Centre, The University of Melbourne

REGISTER:Click HERE to register

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