When foreign minister (and deputy prime minister) Richard Marles uses terms like ‘seamless’ and ‘interchangeable’ when talking about restructuring the US and Australian intelligence services “it sounds very much like the sound of national control being surrendered [and] the American perspective of the world further dominates the thinking of Australian policy makers”.

The steadily changing Australian position on China over the last five years, beginning with Scott Morrison’s megaphone and continuing into Anthony Albanese’s silent slide, has replaced what was a balanced approach to dealing with China and the US with an unannounced close alignment with Uncle Sam. The ‘analysts’ now embedded in our intelligence service will enable the US “to influence Australian policy development and ensure Australia remains a compliant ally and reliable home to US forces preparing for a war.” This will be of special concern to PNG and the nations of South-East Asia, which have so far successfully maintained their own balance between China and the US.

Meanwhile, in the China Daily, Joseph Ho and Kacee Ting Wong nail the problem when they point out that “in lockstep with US geopolitical priorities, Australia will no longer be able to maximise its national interests by balancing Beijing’s and Washington’s strategic concerns in the region. They continue, “There is no merit for Australia in sacrificing its own economic development by subordinating its national interests to those of the US.

Ho and Wong also point to the pragmatic approach of South-East Asian countries in managing the heating competition between China and the US in the region. This “offers lesson for Australia” they say. But they recognise that the die is cast: “In lockstep with US geopolitical priorities, Australia will no longer be able to maximise its national interests by balancing Beijing’s and Washington’s strategic concerns in the region…. A ‘hard containment’ policy against China does not serve the interests of Australia.” Too often is our country its own worst enemy.

NEW PNG WEBSITE MONITORS GOVT FUNDS

The community advocacy organisation, Act Now, has launched a website to promote transparency and accountability in how government funds are used across PNG’s 94 districts. DDA Watch provides impartial information on the work of each District Development Authority, responsible for spending K2 billion a year of government grants.

“Since the DDAs were created [in 2014] they have become a bit of a financial black hole,” says Act Now’s Eddie Tanago. “Every year the government has poured more and more money into the Authorities but the information on how the money is spent is almost impossible to find.”

PNG-INDONESIA TRANSPARENCY COOPERATION

Transparency International PNG’s Barbra Ruin has begun to work with Transparency International Indonesia to build cooperation on issues related to democratic governance. The aim of the exchange program is to strengthen the relationship between Transparency International associations in the Indo-Pacific area and enhance their capacity to combat corruption in the region.

NEW FLIGHTS RAISE SUSPICIONS IN SEPIK

The potential opening of direct flights between Guangzhou (formerly known as Canton) in China and Port Moresby should raise eyebrows, writes Duncan Gabi in his Aunamelo blog. Guangdong Province has a major stake in the Frieda River gold and copper mine project. “There has been significant resistance from Sepik river communities, who have openly opposed the mining project, says Gabi. “Their concerns revolve around potential environmental impacts, displacement of local communities and the preservation of their traditional way of life.”