Let’s muster strength from the Asian Century White Paper

Publisher

Pawan Luthra

EDITOR

Rajni Anand Luthra

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Sheryl Dixit

MELBOURNE

Preeti Jabbal

Contributors

Malavika Santhebennur, Hasnain Zaheer, Sudha Natarajan, Jyoti Shankar, Frankey Gerard Fernandes, Chitra Sudarshan, Noel G deSouza, Amit Dutt, Mahesh Radhakrishnan, Tim Blight, Mohan Dhall, Geeta Khurana, Avi Chandiok, Petra O’Neill, Rani Jhala, Talia Kaur, Nancy Althea, LP Ayer

ADVERTISING MANAGER

Vivek Trivedi 02 9262 1766

ADVERTISING ASSISTANT

Nitika Sondhi 02 9279 2004

DESIGN

Danielle Cairis

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Ken Henry was the person deputed with the task of presenting a white paper on Australia’s engagement with Asia in the 21st century. He also chaired the 2010 Australia’s Future Tax System Review, which became better known as the Henry Tax Review. This tax review detailed changes to superannuation, resource rent tax on the mining sector, and tax reform for small businesses. Most of the recommended tax reforms have not found their way into our daily lives and those which have, such as the mining tax, have been changed substantially from their initial conception. Ken Henry’s Asian Century paper, released a few days ago, fills one with both optimism and pessimism.

The optimism comes from the fact that Australia seems to have moved on from its dependence on the United States and now has a vision of engaging more with its neighbours in the North. While the mining boom has created a better brand name for China and India because of their deep consumer markets, we have failed to capture the true potential of what these countries need in terms of services from Australia. The Asian Century white paper clearly articulates the value add which Australians can offer to the booming middle class in these countries. The emphasis will be more on services rather than the traditional products which Australia sells to its Asian neighbours.

If they need new houses, Australian architects have a depth of experience working in this climatically diverse country. If they need to set up financial services to meet the needs of middle class affluence, Australia has a robust financial services programme. If our Asian neighbours need to implement environmentally-friendly offices, Australia has the expertise to sell these as well. This and a lot more can be done to increase Australian engagement in Asia, beyond the sale of crops and coal, and to expand to selling our intellectual expertise.

The introduction of Hindi as an option of study is another reason for optimism for Indian Australians. That Hindi has been recognised at such levels of decision making is indeed a credit to all the local Indian associations, community groups, media and community leaders who have worked hard to make sure India’s national language gets noticed in mainstream Australia. While a number of community language schools are currently teaching Hindi, they have never had the recognition that Chinese or Mandarin community language schools enjoy. The emergence of the Hindi language in school curriculums will be a welcome move for Indian Australians and will lead to a better involvement of Australians with India.

But there is pessimism because while the Asia paper paints a vision for the future, it has merely stated the obvious. Australia and its policy makers have been down this path before with former Prime Minister Paul Keating painting a ‘big picture’ of the country’s future, breaking away from traditional ties with Britain and forging new alliances within the Asia Pacific region. He was keen to foster a meaningful strategic and cultural future for Australia in its Asian neighbourhood. But fast forward 15 years, we are still singing from the same old music sheet. Australians have done business in Asia, but they have not won the hearts and minds of their immediate neighbours. While trade and tourism has boomed, we have still to build a deep and meaningful friendship with many of our Asian neighbours, India included.

What will bring Australia and its Asian neighbours closer will be a deeper understanding of their cultures. Culture, amongst its many definitions is also described as ‘the ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a particular people or society’. A good start could be the Australian government changing the name and functionality of its Foreign Affairs department. Known now as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, it may be an idea to divorce the Foreign Affairs from the Trade segment in this area of government. Diplomacy and business do not have to go hand in hand. One can have friends without doing business with them.

In Asian countries, forcing a friendship to do business is a difficult concept to accept culturally and ethically. But once strong friendships are forged, business will occur of its own accord.

To help progress the engagement principles listed in the Asian Century white paper, perhaps some housekeeping may be in order.

Spiritual

Religious discourses by Sri Velukkudi

Swami

7 – 11 Nov The Vedic Society of Victoria announces a series of lectures in English by the renowned Sri Velukkudi Krishnan Swami. Sri Velukkudi Swami comes from a long parampara (tradition) of religious scholars and is singularly equipped to give pravachans on all forms of Hindu scripture, due to his knowledge of various Hindu theological traditions. He has travelled widely, giving religious discourses and representing Hindu dharma in world forums and his lectures on the Bhagawad Gita are at once aweinspiring and moving, lucid and erudite. Details Ramesh Raghuraman 0406 133 233.

Ramakrishna Sarada Vedanta Society of NSW activities

Thurs 15 Nov 2.30-3.30pm

Vivekananda Book Club Meeting:

Discussion Group exploring the book:

Letters of Swami Vivekananda

Sun 18 Nov 10.40am to 12noon

Kali Puja. Celebration commences with Hari Om Ramakrishna Chant, Silent meditation, Talks by Pravrajika Gayatriprana and Mrs.Bala Lakshmanam, followed by a special candlelight ceremony/offering and distribution of offered food.

Sun 18 Nov 3.00-6.00pm Young

People’s Discussion Group for ages 17 and over. Theme: Emotional Intelligence.

Sun 15 Dec 5.30-7.30pm Avijit Sarkar & Friends. Free early evening concert of devotional songs. Complimentary tea/ coffee, sweets & savouries provided.

Venue: Vedanta Hall, 15 Liverpool Road, Croydon. Details 02 9745 4320 or email: