Australian interests, bifocalism, bipartisanship, and the Antarctic Treaty System

• Published in: Polar Record
• Main Authors: Haward, Marcus, Cooper, Nicholas
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2012
• Subjects: General Earth and Planetary Sciences; Ecology; Geography, Planning and Development; Antarctic; The Antarctic; Australian Antarctic Territory; Antarc*; Antarctica; Polar Record
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0032247412000459; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0032247412000459

ABSTRACT This article explores the character of domestic political support for the Australian Antarctic Territory and Australia's involvement in the Antarctic Treaty System, using the linked frames of bifocalism and bipartisanship. After first unpacking these concepts it explores how they have shaped the extent and form of Australia's Antarctic endeavours from the 1930s to the present day. It is argued that the analysis shows that bipartisan commitment to Australian interests in Antarctica is framed through bifocalism: first, Australian national interests are closely linked to maintenance of the Antarctic Treaty and Antarctic Treaty System, and second, presentation of these national interests is not inimical to commitments to the Antarctic Treaty and Antarctic Treaty System.