Question
Evaluate the successes and failures of the Hawke/Keating government (1983–1996) in Australia.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates must appraise the successes and failures of the Hawke/Keating government and arrive at a reasoned conclusion.
Indicative content
- The Hawke government (1983–1991) was successful in increasing welfare provisions and there was indexation of various allowances. The basic wage was increased; superannuation schemes were made compulsory; and there were some income support programmes for the lowest paid in society. Healthcare and health insurance schemes were extended and educational funding was expanded, particularly in the post-secondary area. There were new environmental policies and the controversial Franklin Dam project was abandoned.
- Keating, as Treasurer (1983–1991), introduced successful fiscal reform, which involved the floating of the Australian dollar and deregulation of the financial system. He dismantled the tariff system and privatized state sector industries and ended government subsidization of some industries. He also introduced a fringe benefits tax and a capital gains tax. These changes boosted the Australian economy and trade.
- Some of these measures placed the government in conflict with traditional Australian Labor Party (ALP) values and many of their supporters resented the government’s cooperation with big business and its uncompromising approach to industrial action. Australian politics became more disconnected from society with the development of “elite pluralism” and media monopolies, like the Murdoch empire, were influential.
- The Hawke/Keating government further developed relations with countries within the Asia Pacific region and participated in the setting up of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
- Keating’s government (1991–1996) endorsed a multicultural society, but immigration was tightened and, in 1992, mandatory detention for asylum seekers was introduced.
- During Keating’s government, welfare and educational policies were continued and expanded with more funding for the arts and improvements to industrial relations and discrimination laws. Reconciliation with indigenous Australians was also prioritized and in 1993, the Native Title Act was passed in response to the High Court’s Mabo decision.
- In the early 1990s, Australia experienced a recession that Keating maintained the country “had to have” to curb inflation. Yet, despite widespread discontent he managed to win the election of 1993. Keating lost the 1996 election and his goal of creating an Australian republic by 2001 was thwarted in the 1998 referendum.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, it is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.
Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.
Question
Discuss the economic and political effects on New Zealand of Britain joining the European Union (EU).
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates should offer a balanced review of the ways in which, and the extent to which, New Zealand was affected, both economically and politically, by the United Kingdom’s entry into the European Union (EU). They should aim to reach a supported conclusion.
Indicative content
- Britain’s entry into the (EU) reduced the access of former British colonies and dominions in the region to British trade and markets. One effect on New Zealand was that it contributed significantly to New Zealand’s economic difficulties in the 1970s and 1980s. These were based on an import and export imbalance and high unemployment that replaced the prosperity of the 1950s and 1960s. They also included: inflation; welfare spending; immigration of Pacific Islanders; and Maori urbanization.
- Britain joining the EU also caused New Zealand to turn to East and Southeast Asia in its search for economic partners, particularly to China. New Zealand formally recognized the People’s Republic of China in 1972 and this bilateral relationship grew to become one of New Zealand’s most important relationships.
- The political effect was apparent in the domestic struggle between the Labour Party and the National Party that created general dissatisfaction within the electorate. The differing ideologies and policies tended to converge in an effort to win support in elections and to solve New Zealand’s economic problems.
- The wider political effect was the impact on New Zealand’s foreign policy, much of which became focused on the Pacific region. New Zealand continued to play a key role in the Colombo Plan and was also instrumental in establishing, in 1971, the South Pacific Forum (later the Pacific Island Forum). This met annually to discuss issues of mutual concern to the region such as economic development, tourism, trade, security and education.
- In the late 20th century New Zealand followed an increasingly isolationist policy and a strong anti-nuclear stance that was opposed to French and US policies in the region.
- Despite these economic and political shifts, membership of the British Commonwealth remained significant to New Zealand.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, it is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.
Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.
Question
Examine the impact of the Second World War on the foreign and domestic policies of Australia up to 1972.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates are required to consider the interrelationship between the Second World War and the decisions made regarding foreign and domestic policies in the specified timeframe.
Indicative content
Foreign policies
- When Britain entered the Second World War in September 1939, Australia’s Prime Minister Menzies immediately committed Australia. In 1940–1941 Australian troops were sent to Europe and the Middle East to support Britain.
- When Menzies visited Britain early in 1941 he was concerned about the apparent British disregard for security in the Pacific. Menzies’s United Australia Party government collapsed and Curtin (Labor) became Prime Minister in October 1941.
- In December 1941, Japan attacked the United States’ naval base at Pearl Harbor. Japanese expansion was rapid; by May 1942 Japan had much territory in the Pacific and Southeast Asia and the north of Australia had been bombed.
- Curtin recalled Australian troops and refused to comply with British military requests. He forged an alliance with the US and allowed Australian troops to be put under US command.
- The Pacific War caused Australia to realize that it could not depend on Britain and therefore Australia and New Zealand entered the ANZUS pact with the United States in 1951 providing for mutual defence.
- The rise of communism in Asia presented another perceived threat and, again, Australia allied with the US and others in order to meet that perceived threat, forming the South East Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO) in 1954.
- Australia joined with the US to resist the invasion of South Korea by communist North Korea and the communist insurgency in Vietnam.
- However, Australia also supported Britain in Malaya and Borneo and remained a member of the British Commonwealth.
- Britain’s withdrawal of a military presence from east of Suez in 1971 confirmed Australia’s trend of moving away from reliance on Britain for defence.
Domestic policies
- Economically, Australia also developed closer links with Asia and these were reinforced once Britain joined the European Union (EU).
- Culturally, however, Australia still had close links with Britain.
- The post-war immigration policies favoured a majority of British immigrants and this reinforced the traditional kinship ties. There were, however, immigrants of from many European countries, but until the 1970s they were encouraged to assimilate into Australian culture.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, the list is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.
Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.
Question
Discuss the relationship between New Zealand and the Pacific Island states in the second half of the 20th century.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates are required to offer a considered and balanced review of the relationship between New Zealand and its Pacific Island neighbours in the stated timeframe. Candidates may suggest that the relationship evolved gradually or that it was subject to other forces that precipitated unexpected developments. Whichever response is provided, the opinions therein should be clear and supported with appropriate evidence.
Indicative content
- New Zealand annexed the Cook Islands in 1901 and Niue in 1905 and administered them as colonies. New Zealand was also given Western Samoa as a protectorate after the First World War. The Tokelau Islands have been territories of New Zealand since 1948.
- Western Samoa was granted independence in 1962. The Cook Islands and Niue became self-governing in free association with New Zealand in 1965 and 1974 respectively.
- New Zealand was instrumental in establishing, in 1971, the South Pacific Forum that consisted of New Zealand, Australia, Nauru, Western Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and the Cook Islands. It expanded to include other Pacific Island states and, in 1999, it became the Pacific Island Forum.
- This group met annually to discuss issues of mutual concern to the region such as economic development, tourism, trade, security and education.
- New Zealand’s foreign policy towards the Pacific Island states did not vary greatly and there was a degree of consensus among the major political parties.
- Much of New Zealand’s foreign policy was focused on the Pacific region and economic assistance was given to projects in the South Pacific Island states.
- In the late 20th century, New Zealand followed an increasingly isolationist policy and a strong anti-nuclear stance opposed to French and US policies in the region.
- The New Zealand way of life was also shaped, by the end of the 20th century, by immigration of large numbers of Pacific Islanders, and governments faced the challenge of dealing with the resultant issues of employment, poverty and discrimination.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, the list is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.
Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.