Damon Mcknight
Australia is a country in the southern hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest country in the world and the largest in Oceania. Australia has a diverse society with a significant Middle Eastern diaspora, and Arabic is the third most spoken language in the country. The Middle East is a geopolitical region encompassing the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, the Levant, and Turkey. Australia has strong partnerships and cultural connections with the Middle East, and it is an important trading hub for the country. Australia also has a long history of military involvement in the region. So, while Australia is not a Middle Eastern country, it has a significant relationship with the region.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Geography | Australia is a country in Oceania, whereas the Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Egypt. |
| Location | Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere, while most Middle Eastern countries are in the Eastern Hemisphere. Australia is southeast of Oman, the Middle Eastern country closest to it. |
| Culture and Ethnicity | Australia has a diverse culture with influences from its indigenous populations, as well as its historical and contemporary ties to Europe, Asia, and its proximity to the Pacific. The Middle East is known for its rich cultural heritage and diverse ethnicities, with influences from Arab, Persian, Turkish, and other cultures. |
| Language | English is the official language of Australia, although it has a distinct Australian accent and some unique slang. Middle Eastern countries have a variety of official languages, including Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Hebrew, and Kurdish, among others. |
| Religion | Australia is predominantly Christian, with a significant proportion of the population identifying as non-religious. The Middle East is known for its diverse religious groups, including Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and smaller populations of other faiths. |
| Politics and Governance | Australia is a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy. The Middle East has a variety of political systems, including monarchies, republics, and democratic and authoritarian regimes. |
| Economy | Australia has a developed mixed market economy, with sectors such as services, mining, and agriculture contributing significantly to its economy. Many Middle Eastern countries rely heavily on oil and gas exports, but there is also a growing focus on diversification and development of other sectors. |
| Time Zone | Australia uses multiple time zones, ranging from UTC+8 to UTC+10:30. Middle Eastern countries generally fall within the UTC+2 to UTC+5 time zones. |
| Currency | The official currency of Australia is the Australian dollar (AUD). Middle Eastern countries use a variety of currencies, including the Saudi riyal (SAR), United Arab Emirates dirham (AED), Iranian rial (IRR), and Egyptian pound (EGP), among others. |
| Conclusion | Australia is not a Middle Eastern country based on geographical, cultural, linguistic, religious, political, and economic differences. However, there may be certain similarities or shared issues between the regions, and Australia may be included in some discussions or analyses of the broader geographic area. |
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What You'll Learn
Australia is not in the Middle East
The Middle East, on the other hand, is a geopolitical region that encompasses the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, the Levant, and Turkey. The term "Middle East" came into widespread usage in the early 20th century by the United Kingdom and Western European nations as a replacement for the term "Near East," both contrasting with the term "Far East." The Middle East is known for its diverse climates, ranging from the temperate Mediterranean climate along the Levantine coast and much of Turkey to the arid conditions in countries bordering the Persian Gulf, which have vast petroleum reserves.
While Australia is not a part of the Middle East, the two regions have historical and contemporary connections. Australia has a substantial Middle Eastern diaspora, with Arabic being the third most spoken language in the country. Australia also has strong economic ties with the Middle East, particularly with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is Australia's largest trade and investment partner in the region. Additionally, Australia has had a long history of military involvement in the Middle East, dating back to World War I, and has participated in peacekeeping operations and alliances with Western nations, particularly the United States.
In summary, Australia is a country in Oceania with cultural, economic, and geopolitical ties to the Middle East, but it is not physically located within the region that constitutes the Middle East.
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Australia's Middle Eastern diaspora
Australia is not a Middle Eastern country. However, the country has a substantial Middle Eastern diaspora, estimated to be over 490,000 people. Arabic is the third most spoken language in Australia, and Arab, Iranian, and Turkish communities have contributed to the cultural diversity of the nation. The first settlers of North Africans and Middle Easterners in Australia date back to 1862, when small groups of mainly Muslim cameleers began serving South Australia's inland pastoral industry.
The country's relationship with the Middle East is complex. Australia maintains strong alliances with Western nations, particularly the United States, and supports international efforts to combat terrorism. At the same time, it seeks to cultivate relationships with Middle Eastern countries, which often have differing views on regional issues, including the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. Australia has traditionally been a staunch supporter of Israel, but this stance has faced criticism.
Australia has a long history of involvement in the Middle East, particularly in military and peacekeeping operations. The country has maintained some form of military presence in the region for almost 80 of the past 100 years. Australia was also an important ally in the US-led invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq in the early 2000s.
In recent years, Australia has continued to strengthen its ties with the Middle East, particularly through trade and investment. The UAE is Australia's largest trade and investment partner in the region, with two-way trade equating to AUD$5.7 billion in 2020-21. The Middle East is also an important market for Australian agricultural exports and a potential source of international students for Australian universities.
Cultural exchange and people-to-people connections have also played a significant role in fostering closer ties between Australia and the Middle East. The Australian government has supported initiatives such as educational exchanges, cultural festivals, and economic events, contributing to increased cross-cultural understanding.
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Australia's relations with the Middle East
Australia has a long relationship with the Middle East, with strong and trusting partnerships. Arabic is the third most spoken language in Australia, and Arab, Iranian, and Turkish communities have contributed to the cultural diversity of the nation. Australia's relationship with the Middle East can be traced back to the colonial era when the trade and travel path between Britain and Australia was via the Suez Canal.
Australia has a substantial Middle Eastern diaspora, with a community of over 490,000 people. Arabic is the third most spoken language in Australia, and the Middle Eastern diaspora has contributed to the cultural diversity of the nation. The Australian expat community in the Middle East is also significant, with an estimated 15,000 Australians living and working in the UAE alone.
The Middle East is an important trading hub for Australia, particularly with the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The UAE is Australia's largest trade and investment partner in the Middle East and Australia's 19th largest export market globally for goods and services. This equates to AUD$5.7 billion in two-way trade in 2020-21 (over AUD$11 billion pre-COVID-19). Australia also has substantial economic connections with the region through tourism and education, and the Middle East’s sovereign wealth funds have made substantial investments in Australian assets, contributing to the country’s economic growth.
Australia has maintained some form of military presence in the Middle East for almost 80 of the past 100 years, and has been directly involved in military and peacekeeping operations in the region more than any other part of the world since World War I. Australia has also played an important role in peace-keeping in the Middle East, with nine active peacekeeping operations in the region. Australia has also been a part of the US-led global war on terror, with the Australian Defence Force's (ADF) operational attention focused on the Middle East for the past 20 years.
Australia's diplomacy in the Middle East is a delicate balancing act. On one hand, it maintains strong alliances with Western nations, particularly the United States, and supports international efforts to combat terrorism. On the other hand, it seeks to cultivate relationships with Middle Eastern countries, many of which have complex geopolitical dynamics and differing views on regional issues, including the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.
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Australia's trade with the Middle East
Australia has been pursuing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE) since 2007, but without success. However, at the GCC Leaders' Summit in January 2021, the Council expressed a desire to pursue an FTA with Australia. In addition, the Australian and UAE governments announced their intention to pursue a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which would be the first bilateral trade agreement between Australia and a Middle Eastern country.
Australia's diplomatic links with the Middle East have played a significant role in encouraging bilateral trade and people-to-people links. Australia's multicultural society includes a substantial Middle Eastern diaspora of over 490,000 people, with Arabic being the third most spoken language in the country. The Australian expat community in the UAE is also significant, with an estimated 15,000 Australians living and working there.
The Middle East is an important trading hub for Australia, particularly with the GCC states. Australia has substantial economic connections with the region through tourism, education, and investment. The Middle East's sovereign wealth funds have made substantial investments in Australian assets, contributing to the country's economic growth. Australia's agricultural exports can also find new markets in the Middle East, especially in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which disrupted grain exports from the region.
Australia's relationship with the Middle East is influenced by its diplomatic and security interests. Australia maintains strong alliances with Western nations, particularly the United States, and supports international efforts to combat terrorism. At the same time, Australia seeks to cultivate relationships with Middle Eastern countries, many of which have complex geopolitical dynamics and differing views on regional issues, including the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Australia's long-standing military presence in the Middle East, dating back almost 80 years, has also shaped its relationship with the region.
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Australia's stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict
Australia has historically been a staunch supporter of Israel, but its stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict is evolving. While Australia does not recognise Palestine as a state, it is committed to a two-state solution, which envisions separate Jewish and Palestinian states coexisting peacefully. This commitment is shared by both Jewish and Palestinian communities, who aspire for a secure and prosperous future in their respective homelands.
In recent years, Australia has shown a notable shift in its position. During the Albanese administration, Australia chose to abstain from voting at the UN General Assembly meeting regarding the conflict, marking a departure from its previous swift alignment with Israel. Additionally, Australia has officially adopted the term "Occupied Palestinian Territories" for the West Bank and Gaza, acknowledging the Palestinian perspective.
The Australian Labor Party's stance on the issue has been a subject of debate. While recent Labor Party leaders have leaned in Israel's favour, the party has also worked to avoid divisive motions on Israel-Palestine relations. In 2021, the Labor Party incorporated Palestinian statehood into its election platform, signalling a potential shift in its approach.
Australia's relationship with Palestinian leaders is less robust than its close friendship with Israel. The country has provided financial support to the Palestinian territories and humanitarian assistance to the West Bank and Gaza. Australia maintains a representative office in Ramallah, West Bank, facilitating engagement with the Palestinian Authority and enabling participation in the Middle East Peace Process.
The recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital by the Morrison government in 2018 sparked controversy, with the Labor Party accusing the prime minister of breaking bipartisan foreign policy. However, Australia clarified that its embassy to Israel would remain in Tel Aviv, a decision welcomed by the Palestinian community.
The ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict has impacted global political and economic conditions, prompting Australia to reassess its position. While a two-state solution is widely seen as the practical path to ending the conflict, internal opposition, border disputes, the status of Jerusalem, refugee returns, and concurrent conflicts in the region complicate progress. Australia's evolving stance reflects a deepening division within the country as it navigates this complex and sensitive issue.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Australia is not a Middle Eastern country. Australia is a country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. The Middle East, on the other hand, is a geopolitical region that encompasses the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, the Levant, and Turkey.
Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere and is considered the world's largest island and the smallest continent. It has a total area of 7,688,287 square kilometres, making it the sixth-largest country in the world and the largest in Oceania.
Australia has a low population density of 3.4 people per square kilometre, with a total population of 25 million people. The population is heavily concentrated on the east coast, particularly in metropolitan areas such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide.
Australia is a multicultural society with a substantial Middle Eastern diaspora. Arabic is the third most spoken language, and Arab, Iranian, and Turkish communities contribute to the country's cultural diversity. At the 2021 census, 3.8% of the population identified as Indigenous Australians, and 3.2% as having North African and Middle Eastern ancestry.
Australia has a long-standing relationship with the Middle East and strong partnerships with countries in the region. Australia maintains a delicate diplomatic balance between its alliances with Western nations, particularly the United States, and its relationships with Middle Eastern countries, which have complex geopolitical dynamics. Australia has a significant expat community in the Middle East, with approximately 15,000 Australians living and working in the UAE alone.
