“The intimate exchange of views which we are maintaining with the British Government has very materially contributed to the removal of difficulties of various kinds which have arisen during the last few months… I am not a prophet, but I entertain the hope that on the ground of common interests, which in politics is the most fertile ground, we can continue to work with England and perhaps to reap the fruits of our labors.”
His first speech to the Reichstag, German Foreign Minister, Gottlieb von Jagow, proudly pointing to Anglo-German cooperation at the Conference of London, February 7, 1913 – 16 months before World War I.
Editor’s Desk – Issue 47 
It is timely yet concerning that we feature Her Excellency Frances Adamson, Australia’s Ambassador to China at a time of heightened conflict posed by North Korea, a Chinese ally and immediately following Australia’s Prime Minister visit to China. Add to this, there is the need to balance a host of other international crisis scenarios at play, including reports of chemical weapons use in Syria, Iranian nuclear ambitions, Russia’s rise back to prominence – this time with Vladimir Putin at the wheel – and a range of internal state conflicts and sectarian violence occurring in Myanmar, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and ominous maritime activity between China and Japan. I’m no historian but this all sounds much like the scale of instability of post World War II. Has the world progressed at all to peace and security? Indeed I wonder if anyone was heeding the warnings in 1913, just 12 months before the start of World War I. It’s a scenario not wanting of contemplation and one hopes our leaders are working hard to avoid for everyone’s sake – I agree it’s unlikely but tell me I should discount, with certainty, the risk of a major international conflict between nation states in the foreseeable future.
China and Australia are only just celebrating their 40th anniversary as neighbours on speaking terms, so the relationship is still young. But on the trade front, circa 1972, we had almost $100 million in bilateral merchandise trade; in 2002, it was over $21 billion; and in 2012, it was $118 billion. Alongside our trading activity, China has 22 defence strategic dialogues with other countries, but it has only two defence strategic dialogues at the level of the defence chiefs: they are with Australia and Pakistan.
Despite being a direct American ally, Australia is well tested against China and was the first western country to hold a joint live-fire exercise with the PLA Navy; in 2010. Do not think both superpowers do not learn from these encounters. In 2012, Australia had 60 individual practical activities in an annual military engagement program with China across five categories. Let’s face it – they’ve been playing war games.
In 2014, Australia will be chairing the G20 and China will be chairing the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum. Australia has a box seat, literally – a non-permanent seat on the Security Council at the United Nations for two years. China is a permanent member of the council and the two will need to work together on some of the most perilous international conditions facing the Middle East, Asia and the globe, with significant regional and human security challenges.
And amongst these challenges, there is the opportunity afforded those in the defence, security and aerospace industries. Conflict often drives innovation and are very big industries to serve. Austrade has recently identified the key drivers of growth in the Asian region include industries in defence, energy security and aerospace.
But living and trading commercially within Asia also has its perils and political misgivings – just ask Australian Senator Nick Xenaphon after he was refused entry to Malaysia on the grounds of him being a security threat. Or have a look at the photographs of the carnage from sectarian violence in Myanmar. Though, it was pleasing to hear the release of Warren Rodwell from his Islamic Militant captures in Philippines, note following a ransom payment. These perils are dynamic, complex and require awareness and planning at a local, national and regional level to circumvent commercially and legally. Hence, this is what drives us at the APSM.
In this issue we continue our Ambassador feature series, focus in on cloud computing security, deliver a fantastic Women in Security focus with Bonnie Butlin and publish some thought provoking articles from Professor Craig Valli, Jason Thomas, Scott McMillan and more.
For entertainment, I’ll also share an interesting time had going through the security licensing regime in NSW. As posted on the Australian Institute of Company Director’s Linkedin group – here’s a highlight of innovation in Australia – as a Director of a small but growing company I need to get individual operating licenses in each state to operate as a security professional – got through the hoops in WA, Qld and SA – so when it came to NSW where there’d been some recent reform in this area I was pleasantly impressed when I had to attend two different NSW Government agencies, in person (note I’m based in Perth, WA), in order to get the license and at one point they literally used scissors to cut the paper they wasted to give me an ID Number – just so I could give it to the other State Government Agency so they could process the licence – in order to return to the original agency and collect an ID Card. Go NSW!! That’s innovation! That’s getting rid of Government red tape! That’s where Australia is at in 2013 – still using paper and scissors in a digital Asian century!
Welcome your comments and encourage you to raise this issue with your respective Government Ministers, Associations and professional groups. This experience follows a number of articles published by the APSM about cross boarder licensing issues and indeed, an issue across most western countries.
Stay tuned with us as we continue to explore, educate, entertain and most importantly, engage. I look forward to hearing from you and encourage to connect with us and retain My Security Media as your personal professional library, willing to listen and accessible anytime, anywhere.
Yours sincerely,
Chris Cubbage CPP, RSecP, GAICD
APSM Executive Editor
NEXT ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS
- Feature interview with Australia’s Ambassador to France.
- Banks & Biometrics
- Cyber Security for the next Generation
