Influencing regional security

Australia’s relationships in the Pacific Islands region have always been important to successive governments but never more so than in these times of global upheaval.

Traditional partnerships are being tested and new alliances are being formed.

The Regional Perspectives Project is led by Prof Joanne Wallis and undertaken in collaboration with researchers from DSTG with funding from Defence. This project is looking at our relationships in this region and how we can ensure Australia is the partner of choice for the various island nations into the future. Joanne explains

"We have previously assumed that Australia’s military, economic power, and trade resources would ensure our level of influence over the Pacific Islands such as the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. As illustrated with the signing of an agreement between the Solomon Islands and China, this can no longer be taken for granted."

"Our project aims to get a better understanding of how people in the region perceive stability, security, and resilience and what makes them feel vulnerable. In the past we have viewed their perspectives through our own Australian lens but for this project we are trying to find out what these concepts mean to Pacific people, not going in with preconceived ideas of what we will find."

"Obviously, there is a significant security and defence element to this work but we need to appreciate that with existential threats such as climate change, security may actually mean something very different to the people who live in the Pacific Islands. It’s about analysing security but defined in a local context."

"Finding out how they understand security and what they need in order to feel and be resilient to future changes, will help us better support them and in turn help Australia to deepen its relationships in the region."