Paul McKeown

 

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

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Australia has always tried to do the right thing for the world.

 

We have a wonderful record of support for the United Nations, we are a loyal and devoted friend to our allies and we are a good neighbour to our region.

 

But I think for too long now, Australia's morality and generosity has been taken advantage of by the rest of the world.

 

We've accepted this, knowingly or not, for years, and perhaps that's just another indication of our wonderful Aussie spirit of friendship and internationalism - but enough is enough.

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I think Australia must continue to be a responsible global citizen, but that we must stop doing so at the expense of our own country, our own people, and most of all our sovereignty.

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I believe Australia must restore sovereign control over its foreign policy, energy security, and its defence.

 

We should avoid taking sides in foreign disputes, but instead use our skills to assist with diplomacy and mediation, and where necessary peacekeeping - to do our bit for the world.

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We need to respect ourselves, and stop being patsies to foreign interests who only use Australia as a pawn to achieve their own international geopolitical, economic or hegemonic aims. To believe the unelected and unrepresentative UN agencies are immune from these coercive and corruptive influences, is to be naive in the extreme. We should be respectful of, but always remain extremely cautious of the UN.

 

We should avoid entering into international military and economic alliances which compromise our sovereignty, and we should avoid making international deals in circumstances where we pay too much and get nothing in return.

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We need keep being a responsible global citizen, but right now we need to look after Australia too.​​​​​

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I'm keen to know your thoughts?

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