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

• Published in: Polar Record
• Main Authors: Haward, M, Cooper, N
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press 2014
• Subjects: Studies in Human Society; Political Science; International Relations; Antarctic; The Antarctic; Antarc*; Antarctica; Polar Record
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0032247412000459; http://ecite.utas.edu.au/86578

This article explores the character of domestic political support for the Australian Antarctic Territoryand Australias 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 Australias Antarcticendeavours from the 1930s to the present day. It is argued that the analysis shows that bipartisan commitment toAustralian interests in Antarctica is framed through bifocalism: first, Australian national interests are closely linked tomaintenance of the Antarctic Treaty and Antarctic Treaty System, and second, presentation of these national interestsis not inimical to commitments to the Antarctic Treaty and Antarctic Treaty System.