Australasian Political Studies Association Conference 2003
Hosted by the School of Government
University of Tasmania

International Politics Stream

“Australia and PNG’s sovereignty after the ‘Pacific solution’, IMF restructuring and the UN mission on Bougainville”

Charles Hawksley
School of History and Politics, University of Wollongong

Abstract:

Relations between Papua New Guinea and Australia have been close but sometimes problematic. Australia’s role as major aid donor and supporter of the PNG state often invites accusations of neo-colonialism. A shift over the last two decades from budgetary to tied aid has been accompanied by wider calls for greater accountability and “good governance” in PNG. This agenda has been reinforced by IMF austerity measures that are supported by Australia. But while “good governance” is the objective for the state as a whole, peace has been the issue for Bougainville. A complicating factor in the bilateral relationship is the unusual arrangement for PNG to house the asylum seekers to whom Australia has denied the right of entry, an arrangement in which the PNG state has been amply compensated.
This paper examines the three themes in the context of the June 2002 elections and the dramatic collapse of the government of Sir Mekere Morauta. With the experienced Sir Michael Somare back at the helm, PNG arguably has a government less willing to compromise or meekly accept Australia’s bidding. But just what is the level of real sovereignty that PNG enjoys? Is it an international actor in its own right or is it, like many developing nations, seemingly powerless to resist ‘global forces’? This paper examines key concepts of sovereignty from the PNG perspective of Australian involvement in its affairs.