Indo-Pacific

When Geopolitics fails- Australia’s opportunity for diplomacy in the ASEAN region

ASEAN-Australia, Indo-Pacific, IPFLP, Opinion / By Helena Trang

For the world of international relations, the behaviours and trends of superpowers are often more predictable than surprising. As a medium power state, Australia pays close attention to the actions of these powers and its impact on the region. The COVID-19 pandemic is an opportunity for Australia to examine the state its relations amongst ASEAN …

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Diversifying into – not out of – the Australia-China Relationship

ASEAN-Australia Relations, Indo-Pacific, IPFLP, Opinion / By Liam Tay Kearney

The Australia-China relationship is hard. It is also arguably Australia’s most critical foreign policy challenge. How do we navigate the increasingly assertive stance of an authoritarian power – with a culture, history, language and values so different to our own – when the economic and security stakes are so high? The challenge for a middle power …

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Where to for Australia’s Fintech Future? Look to Singapore!

Indo-Pacific, IPFLP, Opinion, Singapore / By Sagar Badve

From Sydney to Singapore, fintech is becoming an essential part of everyday life. Australia now has the opportunity to capitalise on this revolutionary industry and propel itself forward as a global fintech leader. Down Seng Poh Road people elbowed their way through the rambunctious crowd. The distinct smell of pungent spices, steaming hot broth and …

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Reform or stagnate – Achieving sustainable and inclusive development in Laos

ASEAN-Australia Relations, Indo-Pacific, IPFLP, Laos, Opinion / By Thiago Brandao

Despite achieving tremendous development since the 1980s, economic growth amongst ASEAN nations has been accompanied by persistent, and in some cases rising, income and wealth inequalities. These factors raises questions as to whether growth can be sustained in the longer term. These dynamics are particularly evident in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), which …

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Fast Fashion Nation: Indonesia’s textiles industry in a COVID-19 world

Indo-Pacific, IPFLP, Opinion / By Vanessa Bourne

Indonesia’s textiles industry is on the rise, but a number of issues threaten to unhinge it. A global pandemic, foreign ownership, the US-China trade war and the lack of coherent policies are one of the many issues that will not only break an industry, but also endanger the livelihoods of Indonesian textile workers and their …

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Why Australia Should Strengthen Environmental Protections: Considering the Indo-Pacific

Leave a Comment / Environment, Indo-Pacific, IPFLP, Opinion / By Amy Morris

As Australia balances economic recovery post-COVID and our obligations to policy areas such as healthcare, welfare and education, many policies and programs have been caught in the crossfire. Environmental policy is no exception. While many economies struggle due to COVID-19, discussion of regional collaboration to protect our environment becomes increasingly important. On 3 September 2020, …

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Waste not, Want not: Adopting circular economy principles to tackle plastic waste in the Indo-Pacific

Leave a Comment / Australia, Environment, Indo-Pacific, IPFLP, Opinion / By Cassie Howell

The world is drowning in an ocean of plastic, and the Indo-Pacific is largely to blame. More than 350 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally every year, less than 10% of which is recycled, as shown in the Plastic Pollution Report. More than half of the world’s plastic is produced in Asia. Over 8 …

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