School of Social and Political Sciences - Research Publications
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ItemIs Australia a Model for the UK? A Critical Assessment of Parallels of Cruelty in Refugee Externalization Policies(OXFORD UNIV PRESS, 2023-06-13)Abstract For several years, Australia has been regarded by some politicians and observers in Europe as a model for hard-line policies towards refugees. At the same time, Australia’s implementation of refugee externalization measures has been subject to considerable scholarly attention and critique. Although the Australian approach has featured prominently in political debates in several European states, this article analyses the implications of a possible adoption of the Australian offshore detention approach for refugee policy-making in the UK, and the consequences this will have for the integrity of the international refugee protection regime. The article considers how states might influence each other’s policies—both directly and indirectly—by focusing on a case study of offshore detention and processing with regard to Australia’s influence on—and similarity to—the UK, to the extent that we observe policy parallels, as the article brings to light substantial policy convergence of detrimental practice of these two countries.
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ItemThe UK’s “stop the boats” policy shows a failure to learn from Australia’s mistakes(London School of Economics and Political Sciences, 2023)The UK government has unveiled its latest policy to tackle “small boat” crossings – one of five key priorities of the Sunak government. Yet the solutions proposed are nothing new, as they seek to emulate what has long been Australian policy towards asylum seekers. Far from being a simple and effective transferable solution, Tamara Tubakovic, Philomena Murray and Margherita Matera explain why such a policy solution is ill-suited to the UK context and therefore unlikely to succeed.
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Item‘Australia-style?’: a model for relations with Europe?( 2020-10-19)During the referendum campaign in 2016, Australia was a reference point for many British Conservative politicians. Since then, the UK government has increasingly looked to Australia for inspiration – it has been regarded as a possible model for the UK’s new points-based immigration scheme, and more recently, it was revealed that the UK government was considering the offshore processing and detention of asylum seekers, a policy that Australia introduced in Nauru and Papua New Guinea. A further indication of this trend is the Johnson government’s appointment of former Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, as an advisor to the UK Board of Trade, a move that was met with strong criticism from within the UK and Australia. Australia also features in discussions of the UK’s future engagement with the EU. Boris Johnson has referred to an Australian style trade deal with the EU. However, such references are misleading as there is currently no Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in force between Australia and the EU. One is being negotiated at present, but the current EU-Australia relationship is based on a network of agreements that may serve as inspiration for the UK’s future relationship with the EU.
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ItemAustralia and the European Union: Trends and Current Synergies(Faculty of Arts, The University of Melbourne, 2019)Australia’s relationship with the European Union (EU) has reached a milestone. With the multi-faceted Framework Agreement (FA) signed in 2017, the bilateral relationship has moved to a treaty level engagement and offers opportunities to strengthen EU-Australia actions and interests on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues. Significant challenges place the relationship at a critical juncture. Faced with the changing strategic priorities and interest of the United States’ (US) international role; the continued rise of China; and increasing regional and global instability, Australia and the EU have the opportunity to enhance their cooperation to tackle these and other challenges. In addition, Brexit presents a degree of uncertainty as to the nature of the United Kingdom’s (UK) future relationship with the EU and with the rest of the world.
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ItemAustralia and the European Union: Towards Deeper Engagement(Faculty of Arts, The University of Melbourne, 2019)The relationship of the European Union (EU) with Australia is characterised by recent achievements, with a significant Framework Agreement and negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). At the same time, there remain some challenges in engagement, given they have some differences of interests and concerns.
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ItemAustralia’s relationship with the European Union: from conflict to cooperation(Routledge, 2018-05-04)After decades of tension, Australia and the European Union (EU) now have a substantive relationship, interacting and cooperating with each other within a wide range of areas. The relationship is currently at a critical turning point. The Framework Agreement has, for the first time, elevated the relationship to a treaty level. It strengthens Australia–EU actions and interests on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues. There is considerable potential for closer cooperation and more extensive pooling of the resources and capacities of both interlocutors on a range of policies and within the multilateral context. This article provides an assessment of the relationship, the current state of play and key challenges facing the relationship as the EU and Australia forge stronger ties through the conclusion of a Framework Agreement and the commencement of discussions on a Free Trade Agreement at the same time as the UK’s exit negotiations from the EU. It demonstrates that, although there are challenges facing the relationship, there are also significant opportunities to further develop and strengthen ties.
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ItemAssessing Australia’s options in the context of Brexit: engaging with the UK and the European Union(Routledge, 2018-05-06)The Brexit vote will fundamentally transform the European Union (EU) and will change how the UK relates to Europe and the rest of the world. What are the implications for Australia at this critical juncture? The UK has been a major player in the Australia–EU relationship, and Australia will now need to recalibrate its approach to both the UK and the EU across a range of policy areas. This article examines the future of Australia–UK and Australia–EU relations in the wake of Brexit, and assesses Australia’s options going forward. The authors advance three considerations. Firstly, Australia’s national interests are best served by adopting a pragmatic rather than nostalgic approach towards future relations with the UK and the EU. Secondly, Australia should avoid pursuing one relationship at the expense of the other and creating a zero-sum dynamic. Finally, Australia’s future strategy must consider broader global developments, such as events within its own region and the US presidency.