Australian Maritime Issues 2007 - Royal Australian Navy

46 AUSTRALIAN MARITIME ISSUES 2007: SPC-A ANNUAL
There were other relevant national defence tasks, such as alliance obligations, support
for diplomatic initiatives such as peacekeeping, natural disaster relief, protection and
evacuation of Australian nations in the South Pacific, and other activities as directed
by the government. 11
Strategic Review 1993
In December 1993, the government released Strategic Review 1993 (SR93), the follow up
strategic assessment to ASP90, which was prepared ahead of the planned 1994 White
Paper. Whereas ASP90 had been drafted as the Cold War was ending, SR93 was written
at a time of clear uncertainty and noted that for its security, Australia relied on:
• a national defence capacity to provide for the self-reliant defence of Australia and
its interests against threats that could arise in the region
• encouraging the growth of a ‘regional security community’ both in South East Asia,
and more broadly throughout the Asia-Pacific region, to reduce the likelihood of
instability and conflict in Australia’s region
• an alliance relationship with the US that contributes to our national defence capacity,
broader regional security, and global stability, while providing direct benefits such
as training, science, technology, equipment, logistics and intelligence
• maintaining a high level of defence commitment to the United Nations (UN) and
other multilateral operations that support Australian security through contributing
to a more secure global environment. 12
SR93 expanded the conception of the region with which Australia should be concerned
and enhanced the methods of regional cooperation required to maintain security.
Importantly there was recognition that all aspects of national policy were important
to active regional involvement, and that the defence posture had to be seen in the
context of economic and other activities in the region. 13 The region in which Australia
now had to operate was defined as the Asia-Pacific, including the Sub-Continent, South
East Asia, North East Asia and the South West Pacific. While earlier policy documents
also included these areas, there was now a perception of greater involvement in these
regions, particularly in North East Asia. Of perhaps greater focus was the ‘Nearer
Region’, defined as South East Asia and the South West Pacific. 14 South East Asia was
defined as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei, Burma
and the three countries of Indochina. The South West Pacific was defined as PNG, the
South Pacific Forum states, French and US colonial possessions and NZ.
SR93 delineated separate approaches for dealing with the major regions of concern to
Australia’s interests. A strategic partnership with South East Asia was proposed, noting
its importance to Australia because of its size, economic dynamism (with increased
and growing economic linkages) and location across Australia’s strategic approaches.
The concept of partnership was due to the growing military capabilities of the South