australia's relationship with asia, and particularly the East and Southeast Asian region, is normally conceived in terms of foreign policy and trade. From this perspective, Asia is external to Australia, and Australia's relationship with Asia is managed, particularly at a governmental level but also by the world of business, as though it is ‘out there’, separate and distinct from Australia. This undoubtedly mirrors the perspective of the bulk of Australia's population, which is overwhelmingly of European origin and predominantly Anglo-Celtic. However, this conception of Asia as ‘out there’ sits awkwardly with Australian government rhetoric about the importance of Asia to Australia. Asia is vitally important, we are told, because so much of our trade is with Asia, particularly with East and Southeast Asia. Australian governments of different political persuasions have also expressed an interest in being included in regional forums, on such issues as trade and defence. While the proportion of Asian-born people in Australia's population remains fairly low (5.5 per cent in 2001), the proportion of migrants from Asia has grown to about 40 per cent of total immigration. This has contributed to the changing ethnic and cultural composition of Australian society, and has made it less and less credible to talk of Asia as though it is ‘out there’.

Australia is geographically close to East and Southeast Asia (Timor is only some 650 km from Darwin). Most of Australia's trade is with Asia. ‘Asians’ live in Australia, and an increasing number of our migrants come from Asia.