Where Austrlia goes, we go?

On Tuesday 15 July, the Lowy Institute hosted a speech in Washington, DC by Australia's Defence Minister, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon, MP. The Lowy Institute partnered with the 21st Century Defense Initiative at the Brookings Institution to hold this event in the US capital.

The Minister gave a very wide-ranging address on the topic: 'Shaping peace and security in the Asia-Pacific: The new Australian Government's defence and foreign policy priorities'.

The speech is here - http://www.lowyinstitute.org/NewsRoomItem.asp?pid=2048

It is interesting for a New Zealander because Australia is THE key ally we have, so where and when they think they might want to fight is important to us. In the context of talking about Australia’s capabilities and possible deployments, Fitzgibbon said: "If there were miscalculations in the Taiwan Straits, for example, we’d be expected, I think, to play our role."

What does this mean for NZ? Could we stand back and watch while Australia, the USA and Taiwan fought a major war with China? Personally, I think whether we like it or not we would HAVE to fight if the Australians got involved any sort of major conflict, that is why we are are allies...

Dammit, can anyone fix my typo in the title?

This is not new news. Back to '98 with Howard's "deputy sheriff" comments, + the unreleased version of ASP97.

:>

more concern raised in the press today re our how capital markets are effectively a subsidiary of Aus and how this will eventually threaten our very sovereignty.

our how =how our

Fuck NZ and OZ if they attack China!!!!

I do hope you'll enjoy the view from Soames Island.

Anyway, no one is saying we are going to attack China. Sounds we will help the Taiwanese defend themselves from Chinese aggression (although I like my consumer lifestyle, and I am a bit peeved all those Chinese people are consuming to much these days, so I wonder if the USA shouldn't just nuke China back to the stone age while it still can).

Fuck you cracka, I will txt message some Chinese general to make sure he saves one nuke for NZ and target your house just to make sure.

This is interesting - I broadly agree with aligning strategic defense intentions with Aus, but what's our policy on One China? We don't officially recognise Taiwan do we?

ew Zealand does not recognise the Government of the Republic of China

so why would we go to defend them?

That is my question - if Australia got involved with the USA in a major confrontation with China, I can't see how we could stay out. Aussie is our Ally. Period?

does one have to follow an ally into a stupid conflict?

of course our reaction would be determined by the govt of the day

No one bites anymore now days?

If the conflict stayed in China then we could probably stay out - especially if it was initiated by our allies after we already made it clear we didn’t want a bar of it. But if the conflict came to aussie then there would probably be a revolution in NZ if our government didn’t help! lol

God, hate to sound like I'm National-bashing at the moment, but under a National Govt - yes. Yes we would.
Both Key and Simon Powers have stated we should follow an ally into any war. Given that they were referring to the US and Iraq, then the stronger bond with Australia would suggest that they certainly would follow them regardless.

lol a land war with china would be a very short war indeed.

they might well decide something different if/when in power

the electorate would be quite a determining factor in any govt's desire for war I would suggest. I believe the NZ public aren't warmongers nor as ignorant as politicos wish

but it would be pretty easy for the USA to bring China to a standstill with its naval superiority by blocking the shipping lanes.

which is why China is developing a proper Navy

many of them hundreds of billions the pentagon spends every year is all about containing/beating China... I'd suggest they are pushing for a future war they cannot win and if started can't afford to lose

Whatz wrong with National bashin? THey are fuckwits.

Its not about fighting its about winning before a fight even happens.

Military might = negotiating power.

oh... well in that case I guess the Iraqi's, Afgani's and soom the Iranians will be negiotiating with the most peaceful nation ever