Where has Australians’ money been spent and how are aid agencies continuing to deliver assistance to tsunami-affected communities? This report draws on a public roundtable the committee held with a range of NGO representatives and government officials in May 2006. The aim was to assess progress to date, learn about current operational priorities, and identify...

Richard Tanter argues that there is a tendency in both Japan and abroad to underestimate Japan’s actual military strength – especially that of its naval forces. Maritime Self Defense Force destroyers and refuelling supply ships have been continually on-station in the Indian Ocean since November 2001, well away from the public eye. The rules of...

The gradual decrease in the saturation state of calcium carbonate in the ocean due to the absorption of anthropogenic CO2 is expected to enhance the dissolution of skeletons and shells of calcifying organisms. Experimental tools are required to investigate and determine the extent of changing ocean chemistry and impacts on the dissolution of biogenic CaCO3...

A range of criminal activity takes place in marine environments, including illegal fishing, unauthorised hunting of protected species, damage to coral reefs, polluting, people smuggling, drug trafficking, and the commission of personal crimes (including violence). The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is at risk from each of these activities, although environmental crimes potentially have the...

Environmental management has traditionally taken place within the bounds of the nation-state, with no obligation to consider neighbouring countries or the world as a whole. Many issues cannot be adequately addressed in this context. For example, the conservation of marine mammals requires the protection of critical habitat beyond state jurisdictions. States, international organisations and global...