Guest post: Australia’s role in the alliance
Originally a comment by Roj Blake on Tiny favor, Scott.
Where do they get off? Why would they think Morrison has any interest in meddling with US internal affairs? Is Trump also asking other heads of state to wash his underpants, scrub his toilet, pick the nits out of his combover?
On December 27, 1941, Australian Prime Minister wrote in a “Letter to The Australian People” and published in that day’s Newspapers, “Without any inhibitions of any kind, I make it quite clear that Australia looks to America, free of any pangs as to our traditional links or kinship with the United Kingdom.” Although Curtin saw an equal partnership with the US, that has not always been the case. Historically, Liberal governments have tended to treat Australia’s role in the alliance as one of subservience, from Holt’s ‘All the way with LBJ’ to Howard’s ‘deputy sheriff’ doctrine.
Morrison is a Liberal in the same mould as Howard, and also an adherent of Hillsong Church, so no doubt Trump saw him as another easily manipulated evangelical.
I doubt most Americans are aware of it but in Australia the ANZUS Treaty has the status of Holy Writ amongst the Australian Right. In the aftermath of 9/11, John “Deputy Sherrif” Howard invoked the Treaty and thus began our national descent into yet another American Colonial War.
Yet, when Australia attempted to use the Treaty to get US support in standing up to Indonesian aggression in East Timor, the Seppos basically said, “Fuggedaboudit. What did you ever do for us?”
So yes, Australian Prime Ministers do make a habit of washing underpants, scrubbing toilets, picking the nits out of Presidential combovers.
Australians have died in Transvaal, Gallipoli, Tobruk, the Mekong, and in Mesopotamia. They arguably had no business in any of those places (though of course being under direct attack from Japan and having the honour of standing up to European fascism makes the argument a tad trickier to make). All of that blood and treasure seems to have purchased exactly bupkus.
The deputy sherriff label was applied to Howard by Malaysia’s PM Mahathir. Howard never described himself that way or published a doctorine that used the term. The criticism was taken up in Indonesia because of simmering tensions over East Timor.
The US did help Australia in East Timor. The logistical support from the Marine Expeditionary Unit and it’s Amphibious Assault Ship was vital. The presence of the MEU also sent a message to Indonesian military planners. They were being invited to behave. Fortunately the Indonesian planners got the message; even if a lot of the Australian public missed it.
Seth, a Gold Star to you. You could have also included Russia post WW1, Korea, Malaya, Afghanistan, China (Boxer rebellion), and more. And not a Brass Razoo to show for it.
Sea Monster, I accept that Howard did not originate the phrase about himself, but it fitted him like a glove.
WRT East Timor, the Australian request was for troops, not logistical support. Clinton was unwilling to commit US troops to an area without vast oil reserves.
The one I missed was Australia’s request for US aid under ANZUS during the Malaysian Confrontation. The US responded aid would only be forthcoming in the case of an overt attack, not to aid against guerilla warfare or other indirect attacks. And that any aid was also contingent upon Australia signing up to America’s grubby colonial war in Indo-China.
Roj I think you’re underestimating the significance of 1,600 marines with tanks and combat aircraft sitting off the coast of East Timor and the message that sends. Australia didn’t get what it asked from the US, but it got something.