This liberal view of the national defence strategy was favoured during the early 2000s by updating the Defence White Paper of Australia (with the exception of 2009 when certain ideas of defender-regionalists were implemented).2 Currently the government of Australia still relies on this liberal theory and especially its alliance with the USA. Next update of White Paper of Australia is scheduled for 2015.3.
Despite numerous discussions about the national security politics, Australia remains relatively safe country, taking into account its history and position. However, the future raises some questions about the security of this region as there are several fast-growing countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam which may eventually become contestants and rivals in this region. If we add the armament of China, potential remilitarization of Japan and the increasing authority of Russia and India the future of this region may not be as peaceful as it has been so far.
ADF and the security of Australia. The location of Australia may serve as both advantage and disadvantage. Its remoteness helps to defend the land against the potential enemy and the absence of directly neighboring countries can be also considered as an advantage. On the other hand it has a negative effect on international trade. The Sea Lines of Communication (SLoC) require bigger attention, the protection costs much more and at the same time the SLoCs are vital for the existence and prosperity of Australia.
Australia as such doesn't have enough manpower to protect its vast sea and land territories and therefore must rely on its allies – usually on the leading naval superpower. During the existence of Pax Britannica and since the declaration of independence in 1901 Great Britain fulfilled that role. Throughout the WWII when Britain failed to protect its territories in Southeast Asia Australia turned to USA which is generally called as Pax Americana.