The Review - Choices for the Future

November 2001

Choices for the Future
The Coalition and Labor on the Middle East and more

Howard and Beazley before their television debate

Soon after the Federal election was called, The Review submitted a series of questions to the major parties on their policies toward the Middle East, world security and domestic issues of concern to the Australian Jewish community. The parties’ responses are set out below.

What is the importance to Australia of its relationship with Israel?

COALITION: Under the Coalition Government, Australia has a warm and productive relationship with Israel, based on our extensive community links and similarities of social and political outlook, including a fierce commitment to robust democratic processes and the rule of law, and a strong sense of our own independence. Although our two countries are relatively far apart, residing as they do in different regions of the world and facing very different strategic environments, there is an affection for Israel in the Australian community that gives the relationship real significance as well as warmth. Moreover the increasing trade and investment between the two, particularly in the field of high technology, is adding economic depth to our ties.

LABOR: Australia’s relationship with Israel is of enduring importance. We are two democracies that share many common values and perspectives. Our people-to-people ties are very strong. Despite the geographical distance between us, economic ties continue to grow and hold much potential for the future, especially in the information technology section.

What should Australia’s role be in the quest for peace between Israel and her Arab neighbours?

COALITION: The Coalition has worked to support the efforts of the United States and others, in addition to those of successive Israeli Governments and the Palestinian Authority, to bring genuine peace to the Middle East. We are not a party principal to the dispute, nor is Australia a major regional player, so we cannot expect to be involved directly in the negotiations as a mediator. We can however do our bit to underpin progress in the peace process through targeted use of the aid program and through rhetorical support for the peace process, (including by refusing to go along with unfair, unbalanced and unproductive resolutions in the UN critical of Israel). We can also continue to provide practical contributions to international peace operations in the region by maintaining our participation in the MFO, the international force in the Sinai, and in UN observer forces such as UNTSO.

LABOR: The negotiation of a just, enduring and comprehensive peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians is vital for security in the Middle East and for international security.

Labor supports the establishment and maintenance of an effective ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians and urges both sides to resume substantive peace negotiations. Labor supports the right of Israel to exist in peace and security within secure and recognised borders. At the same time Labor supports the right of self-determination for the Palestinian people, including their right to their own independent state.

Australia must ensure that the campaign against international terrorism is matched by renewed efforts to address the circumstances that help breed extremism. We must recognise the on-going danger posed by the situation in the Middle East and we must do everything we can to ensure that the Middle East Peace Process is started again.

What should Australia’s role be in the US-led coalition against terrorism?

COALITION: The Australian Government has committed to make available a range of military assets including a detachment of special forces, air to air refueling aircraft, naval vessels, long range surveillance aircraft, four FA18A aircraft to provide support for the air defence of coalition forces, and an amphibious command capability. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the United States and would look favourably upon any request the US would make of Australia to take this battle to terrorists and rid the world of their brand of evil.

LABOR: Labor has already committed itself to give strong support to the international intelligence, law enforcement and military effort against those who committed the atrocities in New York and Washington and those who support and harbour them. Labor will see this through in government.

The deployment of Australian military forces in this conflict must be accompanied by clear thinking about the dangers involved, the potential international consequences of sustained military action, and the military and diplomatic objectives of the campaign. Australia must always exercise our own independent judgment about our strategic circumstances and ensure that our national interests are safeguarded.

The primary objective of the current campaign must be to eliminate the global terrorist threat posed by Osama bin Laden and the Al Qaeda organisation based in Afghanistan. This must involve bringing Osama bin Laden and other Al Qaeda leaders to justice, preventing the Al Qaeda organisation from posing a continuing terrorist threat, and ensuring that Afghanistan ceases to harbour and sustain terrorist organisations.

Military action directed to achieve these immediate objectives should be focused and conducted to minimise civilian casualties and damage to non-military infrastructure.

A military campaign extending beyond Afghanistan would raise very difficult strategic and diplomatic issues. Any possible military action against targets in other countries which support, sponsor or harbour international terrorist groups would need to be considered quite separately, be based on compelling evidence and command wide international support.

Beyond the immediate military task in Afghanistan, the international coalition must be prepared to undertake responsibility for the reconstruction of that country and assisting its reintegration as a responsible member of the international community.

Australia must be active in supporting the role of the United Nations in dealing with the humanitarian, security, political and reconstruction challenges that will follow the dissolution of the present Taliban regime.

A Labor Government will work to strengthen international cooperation against terrorism to undercut the support provided by some national governments and other entities to terrorist groups and activities. Labor will pursue the negotiation of a new Comprehensive International Convention against Terrorism. This will be a major diplomatic undertaking requiring intensive diplomacy and international coalition building. At the same time, Labor will campaign actively to secure the signature and ratifications of as many nations as possible to the twelve international conventions dealing with various aspects of the global terrorist threat.

As part of this campaign, Labor will sign, or otherwise accede to, and ratify the 1991 Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives for the Purpose of Detection, the 1997 Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings, and the 1999 Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism.

Should Australia support the extension of the US-led war against terrorism to other terrorist organisations besides the Al-Qaeda network and beyond Afghanistan? Should that include terrorism by Palestinian groups against Israel?

COALITION: The Australian Government opposes terrorism wherever it may be and in all its forms, including against Israel. We will work with the United States to find the Al Qaeda terrorists and ensure that their networks are closed down for good. Terrorism is a scourge that knows no borders and has the potential to touch all peoples and nations. The list of nations who had citizens killed on September 11 is evidence of this. We will continue to take the hard decisions needed in these uncertain times to fight those that inflict terrorism on others.

LABOR: See response to question above.

Is there a danger of large-scale international terrorism striking Australia, and if so, how should Australia be changing its laws and institutions to meet this danger in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks? Does the war on terrorism indicate a need for Australia to re-think its current defence doctrines, and if so, in what ways?

COALITION: At the moment, there is nothing to suggest that there is a specific threat in Australia as a result of the attacks in the US. However the Government have taken the precaution of putting Australia on a heightened security alert. This is standard practice under the National Anti-Terrorist Plan. The Government’s National Anti-Terrorist Plan is comprehensive and well tested. We also have a raft of Commonwealth, State and Territory legislation that deals with terrorism. As is the case after any international security incident, we are also reviewing our security and intelligence procedures. We have also established a high-level committee to review the implications for Australia’s security and counter-terrorism arrangements of the terrorist attacks in the United States. The Committee is to report to the Government by end of October.

The Coalition has long believed that Australia’s national security environment has become increasingly complex, diverse and unpredictable.

The Defence White Paper released in December last year, Defence 2000, makes it clear that the Australian homeland faces many security concerns other than those involving conventional military force. These include the potential for non-military threats, such as terrorism, cyber attack, and organised crime. They also include border protection concerns such as illegal immigration, the drug trade, illegal fishing, piracy and quarantine infringements. The White Paper commits the Government to increasing funding on defence intelligence by over 25% and on special forces by almost 23% over the next decade.

Notwithstanding the emphasis the White Paper has on such concerns, the events of September 11 have led the Government to effectively double our counter-terrorist capability and to reinstate the specialist Incident Response Unit, whose capabilities in responding to chemical, biological, radiological and explosive incidents were in place during the Olympic Games.

LABOR: The terrorist attacks on the United States on 11 September 2001 have fundamentally changed the modern threat of terrorism. Governments worldwide must respond to the new reality of mass terrorism. The terrorist threat to Australia should be taken very seriously, but should not be exaggerated.

For details of Labor’s approach to the threat of international terrorism see Labor’s National Security policy: http://www.alp.org.au/media/1001/kbmsnsec061001.html.

Should the Australian government cooperate with US attempts to build a missile defence system? Is this more or less of a priority after Sept. 11?

COALITION: The international strategic environment has changed since the end of the cold war. Perhaps the greatest global danger facing us at the moment is the proliferation of missiles and weapons of mass destruction. The Coalition therefore understands the US decision to pursue a defence against ballistic missiles, after all, every country has the right of self defence under article 51 of the UN Charter. The priority that the US attaches to homeland security has understandably grown since the tragic events of September 11. In this context, Australia, as one of America’s closest allies, will under a Coalition Government, continue to support the measures that the US adopts to better protect its people.

LABOR: Labor considers it important to support the integrity of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty that has long served as a keystone of nuclear arms control. We have expressed concern about US proposals to deploy a National Missile Defence system and in government we will advance efforts to reduce the risk of this defence program fuelling a new nuclear arms race in the Asia-Pacific region. Labor has expressed the view that Australia should not directly participate in National Missile Defence development or trials. We recognise the potential defensive value of Theatre Missile defence systems.

Clearly, in the light of the events of 11 September and subsequently, it is clear that the threat of weapons of mass destruction delivered by clandestine means must be taken extremely seriously.

Also see Labor’s non-proliferation and disarmament policy: http://www.alp.org.au/media/1001/lbmsnpp171001.html

Should Australia be changing its immigration intake over coming years? If so, in what way? Should the mix of various immigration categories be changed, and if so, how?

COALITION: Immigration has provided the foundation for Australia’s success as a nation. It has grown and shaped our country and, well managed, will continue to act as a force for positive change. The Coalition has achieved a migration program that balances economic and labour market needs, with the need for close family reunion. The Coalition is committed to building an immigration program that unequivocally operates in the national interest and will make decisions about varying the mix within that context.

LABOR: A population policy will allow Australia to decide as a community the long term sustainable population we want rather than allowing population issues to be an incidental by-product of ad hoc, political decisions about annual immigration levels.

A Labor Government will focus on population policy as a whole, rather than just immigration, enabling the community to think in a long term and constructive way about issues which otherwise stand to divide us. We will commission the Office of Population to undertake a wide-ranging inquiry into alternative population scenarios. It will promote a widespread public debate and undertake research, analysis, and data collection across all relevant portfolios on issues affecting population policy, and provide advice to the Government.

Evolution of a population policy will require coordination across the whole of government. Such a policy will involve consideration not just of immigration but also of elements as diverse as desirable rates of economic growth; resource constraints; environmental management; internal migration; urban form; industry and regional development policy; and the fertility and mortality of Australia’s current population.

What should Australia’s policy be toward asylum-seekers who arrive in this country illegally? Should Australia be seeking to close down the people smuggling rings which bring asylum seekers to this country for money, and if so, what policies should we adopt to bring this about?

COALITION: The Coalition maintains that it is the sovereign right of any nation to determine who does and who does not enter its borders for temporary or permanent stay. The Coalition’s policies of orderly migration (and one of the largest refugee resettlement programs in the world per capita) depend on continuing community support which in turn depends on the Government’s control of the border and the integrity of the migration and resettlement programs. The Coalition has adopted a comprehensive, integrated strategy to ensure the continued integrity and accountability of Australia’s orderly migration programs.

The Coalition is working with other countries and international forums to ensure that people trafficking is brought to a speedy end. Recent legislation to excise some Australian remote territories from the Migration zone and to allow the removal of unauthorised arrivals to third countries for processing is part of the deterrent strategy.

LABOR: Only Labor has a real plan to try to protect Australia from the tide of illegal immigrants. Our plan has two key elements. One is to establish an Australian Coast Guard, which will be on the beat every day of the year – not just before an election. Labor first announced this initiative in January 2000 and in detail on 6 October 2001 as part of Labor’s National Security policy. The other is to crack down on the people smugglers.

Australia can only stop the flood of boats by fixing our relationship with Indonesia. A real solution must be found in Jakarta. Labor will pursue the issue of people smuggling with the highest levels of the Indonesian Government. Within 10 days of Labor forming a new Government, the new Foreign Minister and other Ministers will be sent to Jakarta for intensive discussions with the Indonesian Government on a plan for proper refugee processing. Indonesia understands that fixing the problem of people smuggling in a joint way is vital to building a new, whole-hearted and cooperative relationship. Moreover, it is in Indonesia’s interests to pursue the people smugglers because they are invariably involved in other organised criminal activities in that country, bringing suffering to communities in Indonesia.

Labor will pursue a comprehensive bilateral agreement to extend cooperation against people smuggling. We will press for Indonesian agreement to accept the return of vessels and people who are trying to use Indonesian territory as a jumping off point to illegally enter Australia. At the same time Australia must be prepared to do more to assist Indonesia deal with this national security, law enforcement and humanitarian challenge.

Further details of Labor’s strategy for combating people smuggling can be found at: http://www.alp.org.au/media/1001/kbmsabp161001.html

Do you support a policy of multiculturalism for the Australian nation, and is if so, what are the benefits for the nation you see deriving from this policy? What are the core responsibilities and values all Australians must accept and share to be good citizens of Australia?

COALITION: The Coalition strongly supports a policy of multiculturalism as outlined in the New Agenda for Multicultural Australia, the Government’s response to the National Multicultural Advisory Council’s Report. Australian Multiculturalism is the Coalition Government’s current approach to multicultural policy.

Australian Multiculturalism emphasises the relevance of cultural diversity for every Australian and the importance of obtaining the greatest possible gains from our diversity. The key to Australian Multiculturalism is inclusiveness. All Australians have the right to be active and equal participants in Australian society, free to live their lives and maintain their cultural traditions, as part of a culturally diverse, accepting and open society, united by an overriding commitment to our nation and its democratic institutions, laws and values.

LABOR: Labor’s supports the principle and practice of multiculturalism as a social policy which recognises and pays respect to the cultural diversity of this nation. We condemn the Prime Minister for abolishing the Office of Multicultural Affairs upon attaining government and believe that the Government’s attempts to ignore, demean or degrade the principle and practice of multiculturalism is akin to doing the same to the millions of Australians from non-English speaking background who live, work and prosper in Australia.

We regard multiculturalism as an asset that enhances Australia’s ability to compete in the international marketplace and make a real and worthwhile contribution to the global economy.

Labor is committed to appropriate anti-discrimination legislation and community education programs to combat intolerance and racism, and believes that if the essence of multiculturalism is to continue, governments must play a key role in providing the appropriate social infrastructure and services for the common good of all our people ensuring no one group in our society is left marginalised, so undermining our nation’s sense of unity, tolerance and a fair go.

Are there additional legislative or educational initiatives that should be undertaken in the next term of government to reduce racial intolerance in our society?

COALITION: The Coalition recognises the need to have in place long term projects to address racism and promote community harmony. To this end the Coalition initiated the Living in Harmony campaign which focuses on ‘what makes us all Australians’ and emphasises our common values. Central to the initiative is the community grants program, recognising that communities are best placed to recognise local problems and develop solutions to address them and combat racism at the grass roots.

The Coalition also established Harmony Day on 21 March as a community day for all Australians to reflect on and celebrate our success as a diverse and harmonious nation.

The educational program ‘Australian Immigration: The Facts’ was introduced by the Coalition Government to inform the public of the true facts about immigration and the many benefits of our multicultural society. The latest element of the campaign, the ‘Australia 2030’ project, encourages young Australians to learn about the contribution migration has made to the development of our nation to date, and invites them to explore the question of how migration may shape their community in the future.

The Coalition Government’s policies and programs in these important areas are designed to ensure that Australia’s cultural diversity is a unifying force that all Australians benefit from.

LABOR: Labor supports legislative and administrative action by all Australian governments to eliminate discrimination, including systemic discrimination, on the grounds of race, colour, sex, religion, sexuality, disability, genetic makeup, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Where necessary, Labor will take special measures designed to achieve equality and eliminate the effects of both historic and contemporary discrimination. Labor recognises the right of all Australians to live and work in an environment free from vilification or harassment, and will provide an accessible and effective means for all Australians to protect themselves from such behaviour.

In December 1995, the then Labor Government initiated a Taskforce on Racism in Schools, through the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs. A Beazley Labor Government would examine the need for such initiatives on coming to office.

Can more be done by Australia to deal with accused war criminals from World War II or later conflicts who may have immigrated here? Is there scope for a re-activation of a specialised war crimes investigatory unit, or changes to immigration laws to allow for the de-naturalisation of those found to have committed crimes against humanity?

COALITION: The Coalition is strongly committed to bringing alleged war criminals to justice. Australia was among the first countries to take strong action against war criminals in response to allegations in the 1980s that war criminals were living in apparently safe havens around the world. In Australia’s case, that involved ground-breaking legislation creating extraterritorial offences having an essentially retrospective effect.

On 25 October last year, the Coalition announced that they will introduce legislation to enable Australia to ratify the Statute of the International Criminal Court. The legislation would enact all the offences within the ICC’s jurisdiction, including genocide, as offences in Australian law.

The Citizenship Act regulates the acquisition and loss of citizenship. As such it is not an appropriate primary tool to address issues of criminality. However, the Citizenship Act does provide limited avenues for redress when faced with serious issues of character such as those that arise in the context of alleged war criminals.

LABOR: Labor has strongly and consistently supported the many extradition treaties Australia has with the many countries with which this has been an issue. We support the conditions on which a visa may be granted or refused including any record of war crimes associated with an applicant. We support the power to revoke any grant of visas granted to any person who has lied in answer to questions related to war crimes.

Labor believes that any investigations into war crimes by the Australian Federal Police that are currently open should remain open and investigated as far as possible, especially in the event of new evidence becoming available. Labor agrees that a crime of genocide should be included in Australian domestic federal law.

Labor remains strongly committed to an International Criminal Court, which is an appropriate body to conduct trials of war crimes.

What is your policy to assist in maintaining the viability of Australia’s network of Jewish day schools?

COALITION: The Coalition is committed to a school funding policy that provides parents at all income levels with choice of school, encourages investment, and allows schools to structure their fees according to their particular needs, and the needs of their community. The new SES funding arrangements for non-government schools have benefited the Jewish Day Schools with increased funding, and in the case of schools that could have received less funding, have maintained their previous funding levels (the funding maintenance guarantee). The funding of all schools will continue to be indexed on an annual basis.

One important strength of the Coalition’s funding formula is that schools are not penalised because they have been successful in raising donations and funds for school development, or because they have fee levels that reflect a policy of covering fee remissions for lower income families.

The Labor Party is now committed to a new formula that will take a school’s capital resources and fee levels into account in determining funding support from the Government. This policy threatens to seriously disadvantage the Jewish Day Schools, which have strong support from the Jewish community by way of donations, and whose fee policies sometimes reflect the practical help provided to families that otherwise might not be able to afford to send their children to these schools.

LABOR: The ALP has a long history of support for non-government schools. A Beazley Labor Government will maintain the current levels of funding throughout the present quadrennium for all schools except those in Category 1. This means that no Jewish school will be affected by Labor’s Category 1 schools policy. For post-2004 funding, Labor will review the Howard Government’s unfair SES policy, which classifies a school such as Adass Israel as being wealthier than Geelong Grammar.

Labor has already announced plans to fund Teacher Development Partnerships, through which $108 million will be spent over five years helping teachers update their skills, especially those teaching maths, science and information technology without formal training in those areas. Labor also will help address the teacher shortage by awarding 1,000 scholarships each year to encourage high achieving graduates to enter teaching, especially in the key disciplines of mathematics and science, where a severe shortage is looming. Each year that these graduates teach, in a government or non-government school, their HECS debt for that year will be forgiven.

Details of these initiatives are available on the ALP website, http://www.alp.org.au.