CANBERRA (Pacnews) — Australian Prime Minister John Howard says he has ended Australia’s policy of benign neglect toward the South Pacific.
Howard was speaking in Brisbane in the first of a series of speeches on issues confronting Australia ahead of national elections expected in November.
He said in the coming two decades, Australia’s defense forces must be combat-ready to ensure stability in the neighboring region.
“We will continue to carry a heavy burden for order and stability in this part of the world,” he said
“Indeed, one of the most far reaching national security decisions this government has taken was to end a posture of benign neglect in the Pacific. There will be no going back from that commitment,” Howard stated.