Fighting for her gates and waterways: changing perceptions of New Guinea in Australian defence

Abstract

HANK NELSON From the changing perspective of their homeland as British colonies, Empire dominion and independent middle power, Australians have thought variously of eastern New Guinea as a place to be Christianised and civilised, a frontier that might be a state, well-watered lands where Australians could settle and flourish, a territory to be transformed into a nation, and a declining nation to be resurrected. And always they have thought that New Guinea was important to their own defence. In pursuit of their various policies – to have legal possession, to promote Australian settlement, to cut constitutional ties, to ‘enhance cooperation’ – they have been concerned about their own security. While defence has not always been the primary motive, it has always been important, and the basis of an argument most easily expressed and most likely to win support from Australians. An essay on Australian defence and relations with New Guinea illuminates central issues in Australian history: Australia’s motives in the annexation of eastern New Guinea; the development of policies for the Australian Territory of Papua; participation in World War I and the Treaty of Versailles; White Australia and perceptions of the threat of Asian invasion; the Singapore strategy and ‘betrayal’; international communism, the falling dominoes and West New Guinea; the granting of self-government to Papua New Guinea in 1973 and independence in 1975; and Australia’s current re-engagement with the islands to the north and northeast. It is hoped that the essay will also: • provide a more comprehensive survey of the full period of Australian government engagement with New Guinea than is available in the opening paragraphs of many reviews of foreign and defence policies; • give a guide to the published and unpublished sources; • draw attention to continuities and change in Australian policies; • make critical assessments of Australia’s perception of and engagement with New Guinea and the islands to the north and east; and • contribute to the sort of history that goes from past to present and is of some value to those involved with current issues. Papua New Guinea is also central to Australians’ collective knowledge about their defence and national identity. ‘Kokoda’, one of the most recognised and evocative words in Australian history, is likely to increase in significance with the passing of the last of the survivors of the World War I and as Australians try to locate the formative experiences of their nationality in their own region. In less than The contribution of AusAID to this series is acknowledged with appreciation. Discussion Paper 2005/3 State, Society and Governance in Melanesia THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY