As an Australian, I've asked myself the same question and I am yet to come up with a rational answer.
From what I've seen, the primary reason is economics. The government of John "Lap Doggy-Dog" Howard tries to portray Australia as being part of Asia to our Asian neigbours, as they are some of our largest trading partners.
But the US is also a large trading and defence partner, so the Howard governement tends to go along with what the US does, as long as it doesn't affect the relationship with Asia.
For instance: Supporting the US in the Iraq war is ok as it has little affect on Asian relations. The Kyoto Treaty is the same. But US has expressed support for Taiwan in case of invasion from China (a large trading partner for Australia). The Australian government has told China that the ANZUS treaty (Australia, New Zealand and US mutual defence treaty) does not oblige Australia to assist US in defence of Taiwan.
Firstly, I live in Canberra so I am 24 hours from everywhere else.........you insensitve clod:)
International flights are available from London, Rome, Athens etc. to both Sydney and Melbourne.
International flights to/from Europe do not stop over in Indonesia but some do stop for a couple of hours in either Sinagapore or Bangkok.
Sydney is a 40 minute flight from Canberra and Melbourne is about 1 hour 15 minutes.
You can drive from Sydney to Canberra in under 3 hours, if you drive on the left. Add another three hours for weaving through oncoming traffic if you drive on the right.
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As an Australian, I've asked myself the same question and I am yet to come up with a rational answer. From what I've seen, the primary reason is economics. The government of John "Lap Doggy-Dog" Howard tries to portray Australia as being part of Asia to our Asian neigbours, as they are some of our largest trading partners. But the US is also a large trading and defence partner, so the Howard governement tends to go along with what the US does, as long as it doesn't affect the relationship with Asia. For instance: Supporting the US in the Iraq war is ok as it has little affect on Asian relations. The Kyoto Treaty is the same. But US has expressed support for Taiwan in case of invasion from China (a large trading partner for Australia). The Australian government has told China that the ANZUS treaty (Australia, New Zealand and US mutual defence treaty) does not oblige Australia to assist US in defence of Taiwan.
Firstly, I live in Canberra so I am 24 hours from everywhere else.........you insensitve clod:) International flights are available from London, Rome, Athens etc. to both Sydney and Melbourne. International flights to/from Europe do not stop over in Indonesia but some do stop for a couple of hours in either Sinagapore or Bangkok. Sydney is a 40 minute flight from Canberra and Melbourne is about 1 hour 15 minutes. You can drive from Sydney to Canberra in under 3 hours, if you drive on the left. Add another three hours for weaving through oncoming traffic if you drive on the right.
"It's death, Jim, but not as we know it."