Ideas and Society | Australia and China: A conversation with Paul Keating

La Trobe University’s Ideas and Society Program is pleased to present an online discussion between former Prime Minister, Paul Keating, and James Curran, a Professor of History at the University of Sydney and author of Australia's China Odyssey, on a question fundamental to the future of Australia--our relations with China and, thus, the United States.

[stevenliew]

Paul Keating is truly a Politician above the rest of the present smugs on both sides of the present Australia Parliament who are devoid of any knowledge or understanding.what it means to exercise Australia own Sovereign Rights and looking after Australians first before anyone else.

[Andrew-lbup]

And sadly, Albonese, Wong and Marles and AUKUS agreement has proven "tone didn't turn into substance". Paul Keating is a national treasure for Australia.

[martinushardy]

Paul Keating's instinct and thinking are good and I remember so many stories, wish Paul long life and hapiness.

[xdgao]

So brilliant! There is no peer among the Aussie politicians.

[baronvonaux]

Fascinating commentary as always from PJK. A strategic mind that understands how to balance the lessons of history with the changing geopolitical landscape of the times. Approaching 80 and still would run rings around the current crop of political leaders from all sides.

[Qwikipedia]

Great conversation and as usual with PJK I could listen for hours on end. Don't have to agree with everything, just have admiration for the intellectual rigour and honesty commonly lacking in political public discourse.

[fvalemus]

Paul Keating, the wisest politician in Australia alive, bar none.

[dczhen]

The man is no lackey and is highly knowledgeable. Respect

[nadiak]

An intelligent conversation, the questions were not headline grabbing but thought provoking with historical context, the response from Keating was once again, as relevant and sharp as ever.

[patasalada]

Paul Keating is a true and intelligent statesman.

[OppoAk-uyqg]

Mr Paul Keating is a man of honour. He is honest, , fair and unbiased in his opinion of China. Mr Keating is absolutely correct to say that China is Australia's friend and biggest trading partner. What makes Australians think that China wants or. has the ability to
invade Australia? Kudos to Mr Keating, a true and fair- weathered friend of China, ! Long live Australia and China friendship!!

[Capital.Bomber]

PJK in his older age certainly hasn't lost his sharpness of mind.
With current Australian politics he certainly gives us much to think about!

[OppoAk-uyqg]

Mr Paul Keating's a political pundit whose insights and views are unbiased, accurate and sharp. Kudos to Mr Keating!

[tomcross]

paul is correct on all fronts. china isn't a rival to the US, it's not a subordinate country the US could manage or have join it, it is an equal global power that the US could partner with.

[TimePeace]

PK is a strategic thinker for Australia. He's so right to point out that Australia pays for the submarines to be part of the American fleet with US in full control of them! And at the same time put Australia in harm's way! How dumb can that be!!

[llewwamn]

Got a mixed feeling listening to Keatings as a Chinese national. This man you got here is a true patriot who think prudently for best interest of his nation, and for that I respect him greatly. China-Australia relation would be much better (as it should be) if he is in charge. Luckily enough though, none of the China Hawks you got in Canberra got a brain as smart as his. All of the Australian aggression under those morons will fall apart as worthless misadventure.

[tclai]

A great Australian Statesman, a PM who thinks for his country more than any other past and present PM.

[alyasagan]

Few politician make senses.. Paul Keating is one of fhe top ones..

[mathewforsyth]

Wow, why can’t we have leaders like that now in Australia

[killmrdarcy]

With ever and ongoing thanks to former PM Keating for his historical memory, immensity of erudition, and truth cut through -and especially in this instance in regard to his excellent China observations - while if only other Australian leaders had the same constituency of ontological gravitas given that no one approaches PJK (indeed not even Rudd or Carr) concerning foreign affairs analytical exegesis. That said, I just hope for once that the many inner city 'Keating groupie' and sycophant idolators who no doubt flooded this chat in the hope of hearing a few of PJK's best acid drops listened and heard his words. Although I've had (and continue to have) many problems with Keating over the years further to both him and Hawke having indisputably inducted the vile ideology of neoliberalism into this country in the 1980's beneath the smokescreen of, in Keating's words, "freeing up the place", Keating's intellect is unsurpassed, with the only modern Prime Ministerial challenges to his much broader intellect having so far come from either Whitlam and/or Malcolm Fraser. Anyway, may he continue to be around for many years to come! With thanks to the fantastic James Curran and the Ideas and Society Program for providing this important discussion, while my only disappointment was hearing that PJK supped/sups with the war criminal, Henry Kissinger. Nevertheless, let us hope that Keating had/has a long spoon!