Year 10: Let the Games Begin

Outline the main geographical processes relevant to Coastal Management.

Geographical processes that are relevant to coastal management are:

• swash - waves breaking on the beach, thus causing damage to the coast as the water eats at the beach.
• longshore drift - sand being moved across the beach.
• wave erosion - waves eroding against the beach
• tides - the water moves up and down throughout the day carrying with it items that could damage the coast.
• destructive waves - they destroy beaches by breaking quickly on the sand not allowing enough time for the water to soak into the sand.
• constructive waves - they build beaches by depositing sand along the beach

All of these processes destroy or help the making the of the coast. 

Y10: Defense Set to Give US More Military Access

What are the US and Australian military forces agreeing to currently? What the specific implications of this agreement?

The US and Australian military forces are agreeing to a series of agreements that will mean that the US will have greater access to Australian military bases. Shared facilities are expected to include HMAS Stirling naval base in Western Australia, an army base in Townsville as the primary location for operations, the port of Darwin and the Bradshaw Field Training Area in the Northern Territory.

What is the name of the summit where Australia's Defense Minister and the US's Secretary of Defense will meet?


They are meeting at the AUSMIN summit.


Which country is the US specifically reacting to?

They are specifically reacting to future threats and uncertainties, specifically China's growing military power. 


What are the US planners looking to achieve with this agreement regarding troop movement?

They are looking to increase forces around the world. They are breaking the globe into certain regions for their defenses.









What are other key areas of discussion at the summit?
Other key areas for discussion at the talks will be cyber security, progress in Afghanistan and the state of the Joint Strike Fighter project. Australia plans to buy up to 100 of the revolutionary multi-role jets to replace the RAAF's F-111 bombers, retired last year, and its F/A-18 Hornets.




What does this agreement mean for Australia's future in the Regional and Global context?



It means that we will have stronger ties with the US therefore making us safer.

Go Back to Where You Came From Reflection

What is your initial reaction to the show?


My initial reaction to the show is that the things that the participants had to go through definitely were very confronting to the whole refugee situation. It really expressed the harshness of the conditions that they were running from and what their reasons were for trying to escape. To watch all these people try and find refuge anywhere else in the world shows how scared they are of staying in their home country. Even the conditions that they have to live in while being processed are harsh. I think that the show was very successful as it really expressed the conditions that they went through and informed the country of the refugee situation.


What percentage of immigrants are refugees?


1.5% are refugees.


Why does such a small number of people make for such a big deal both politically and in the media?


It makes for such a small number of people because of the fact that these people plan to come into the country and change it for themselves. This is an issue because they will not plan to integrate into our society rather have their own little compounds around Australia. I think that the refugee situation should be controlled and it be stressed that they have to embrace Australian culture.


Where does Australia rank among countries accepting refugee's?


Australia is currently in 18th position among the other countries in accepting the refugee's.


To what extent do we have an obligation to help other people suffering in the world?


I think that we as a country have an obligation to help anyone in the world as everyone needs help at one stage. If we help others then when the time comes people will help us.


How much extra support do refugees receive in comparison to other Australian citizens?


They receive the same amount of support as all Australian citizens.


How many Asian nations have signed the UN Refugee Convention?


11 countries have signed the UN Refugee Convention.


Why is it important to note that that Malaysia has not signed the UN Refugee Convention? What does this mean for refugee's in Malaysia.


This means that they don't have the same rights and therefore will have a harder time as a refugee in Malaysia.

Year 10: Trade: ASEAN members start moves to harmonize policies | BusinessWorld Online Edition

1. What is the goal of this ASEAN meeting?

The goal of this ASEAN meeting is to improve and harmonize trade and investment policies as the bloc pursues an integrated regional economy by 2015. 

2. What is ERIA? What do they intend to do?

ERIA is the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN, they intend to draw up plans to review the scorecard for 2015. 

3. What is AEC? What do they intend to do?

AEC is the ASEAN Economic Community, they intend to help countries identify commitments that will deliver the best results toward integration.

4. What are the three key areas of focus?

The three key areas of focus are trade and transport, services and investment facilitation. 

5. How often does this group plan to meet?

They plan to meet once a year and on during that time they will develop a knowledge bank. 

6. What do they intend to keep in their "knowledge bank"?

They intend to keep possible tools members can use to pursue effective reforms and also a data bank of all regulatory reform ASEAN members have made.

7. Who was the chairman of the meeting? What is his title? What is the population and GDP of his country? How does it compare to Australia?

The Chairman of the meeting is Dato Lim Jock Hei, Brudei Ministry of Foreign Affairs permanent secretary. the p

8. What do you think that economic integration means?

Economic integration refers to trade unification between different states by the partial or full abolishing of customs tariffs on trade taking place within the borders of each state. This is meant in turn to lead to lower prices for distributors and consumers (as no customs duties are paid within the integrated area) and the goal is to increase trade.

9. Do you think that this is good or bad for Australia?


I think this is a good thing as products that are not widely available in all areas will be able travel across the border without the same price of transporting it which acts like a penalty for trading. Trade will definitely flourish if these customs and tariffs are abolished as products will freely flow around the states of Australia without such large fees to give others the same products. So i think that it is a very good thing for Australia.

Australia and America Alliance


1. Who is Steven Smith and what important role does he play for the Australian Government?


He is Defense Minister in Washington and he helps the Australian - US alliance continue. He helps Australia and he controls the military and therefore is helping the relationship of America and Australia become larger.


2. What is the Brookings Institution where Mr. Smith delivered his speech?


It is a non-profit public organisation in Washington dc. It allows people to discuss issues and provide information about certain topics.


3. What role does the Australia/US Alliance play in Australia's 'strategic and security arrangements'?


Australia has previously hosted the US for different systems. America has given sensitive information to Australia to keep on the down low and therefore this guarantee's Australia's alliance with America as they don't want the information spilled. 


4. What is important about Australia's global location for this alliance?


Australia is located in the Asia-Pacific region and therefore is in the centre of gravity and as economic, political, military and strategic influence shifted.


5. What contributions has Australia made to this alliance for the last 50 years?


They have hosted and supported some of the US's most sensitive and critical strategic capabilities. 


6. What did the minister say about the Australian companies who do business with the US?


The minister said 9000 Australian companies did business in the US. "They pay an average wage of $US70,000 ($63,490) per employee per annum and include your largest shopping-centre owner and two of your largest 20 banks.


7. Why does the minister point out this information about this company? What does it highlight about the relationship between Australia and the US?


Because it stresses the fact that Australia is an ally that adds value. Australia does it so from a vantage point of  respect, not dependency. It shows that Australia really is helping America during their time of economic problems.


8. What is the country central to Australia's relationships in the region?


Australia is really trying to get a strong relationship with China. Australia wants to be in an "harmonious environment" with China.


9. What is Australia trying to foster with this country?


They want to be in an harmonious environment and have strong military relations. 


10. Why do you think that this is important to Australia?


Australia is making connections so that they will be more liked and therefore get more favours from China as it is.






1. What is the US planning on locating in Australia? Where? Why?


Australia is located in the arc running from the Indian Ocean through to the Asia Pacific region. This therefore gives the United States a strategic focus to be closer to where a natural disaster may occur and therefore already have plenty of supplies and tools if the time does arise. It is going to be located in Woomera in WA.

2. What implications does this have on the coordination between Australian and American forces?


It ties them together and makes their relation stronger so that America is more of a big brother to Australia.

Immigration

1. What is an asylum seeker?


An asylum seeker is a person who has fled their own country and applies to the government of another country for protection as a refugee. 


2. What reasons would they leave their country and come to Australia?

According to the United Nations Convention and Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees (the Refugee Convention), a refugee is a person who is outside their own country and is unable or unwilling to return due to a well-founded fear of being persecuted because of their:

• race
• religion
• nationality
• membership of a particular social group
• political opinion.

3. What reasons will allow them to be approved for asylum?

If there life or freedom has been threatened on account of his race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. If any of these points are present then they are not allowed to be expelled or returned to where they came from.

4. From what countries are most asylum seekers coming to Australia?

Africa, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Somalia.  

5. What is the deal between Australia and Malaysia? (What are the numbers of people being 'swapped'?)

Australia will send over 800 boat people to Kuala Lumpur and in return will receive 4000 refugees from Malaysia and settle them down in the next 4 years. 

6. What rights will they have in Malaysia which will allow them to support themselves?

They will be allowed to work and education and medical supervision will be provided.

7. How does Malaysia normally treat illegal immigrants?

They normally assault them in large groups which is done by the local police.

8. Are children being sent to Malaysia?

Yes.

9. What is going to happen to the processing of the 500+ people currently in Australia who have arrived from the 7th of May?

The government is changing there decision and is going to process them and not make them leave.

10. What do refugee advocates worry about for the 800 asylum seekers?

They are worried that they will be assaulted by the local police. They also fear that Australia will not be able to protect them once they have left their shores.

11. What is the goal of this 'swap' program?

It is to stop boat people from coming to Australia because some of them are being exploited and many of them suffer the risk of death on the way as it is a very dangerous stretch,

12. Do you think that it will work? Why/why not?

It depends on whether or not the first deal works and seeing how it flows. If it is successful and I am sure that it will continue.

Year 10: Monday 25/7 Period 4

1. What title does Kevin Rudd have in the Australian Government? Explain what this role entails.

He is the Australian Foreign Affairs Minister and it involves him interacting with other countries and discussing threats on Australia such as nuclear weapons.

2. What is Kevin Rudd's concern?

His concern is that North Korea with their nuclear weapons make a direct threat to Australia as these missiles can travel thousands of kilometres. He is worried that North Korea is angry at others for the destabilisation when it is clearly their fault. 

3. What forum was he at to express his concerns?

He was at the ASEAN Regional Forum in Nusa Dua, Bali. 

4. What actions have North Korea performed recently which have Rudd alarmed and the region lacking stability?

They had recently torpedoed a South Korean naval frigate, shelled civilians’ homes across the border and defied two UN Security Council resolutions by pursuing an enriched uranium weapons program. Rudd therefore is worried at what might next set of North Korea.

5. What is a 'direct threat' to Australia according to Rudd?

The direct threat to Australia is the recently constructed Taepodong-2 long-range missile as it can travel 15,000km.“Its a serious matter; it’s not out there on the margins of our national security concerns; it’s real and I reflected those concerns to the North Koreans today.

6. What do you think that Rudd is trying to accomplish diplomatically by calling out his North Korean counterpart publicly? How does this relate to Australia's relationship and role in the region? 

He is trying to show the world how much a threat North Korea is with the missiles that they possess and also the nuclear weapons that are being created by them. He is trying to make them respond or re-butte to the situation. He is calling North Korea out so that we look good in the world as we have shown that North Korea is a threat. Also it helps with our relationship with other countries because it tells them we have their back as we are looking out for them by seeing what countries possess weapons that can kill and telling others about it. 

7. How does this relate to Australia's relationship to major allies?

Since Australia is closely allied with America and therefore has a bodyguard with it the whole time. Therefore with Australia calling out these other countries they should listen as they don't want to fight with America if they decide to go against Australia. This makes Australia's relationship stronger with major allies as it looks like other countries may listen and think that Australia is a tough country to be friends with.