Australians studying Asia:
the ASAA 1976-1997

http://coombs.anu.edu.au/SpecialProj/ASAA/King/King01.html

Rebecca King

Chapter One: The Lobbying of Government

Since its formation the ASAA has seen a major role for itself in lobbying Federal and State Governments to raise the profile of Asian studies education in Australia. While cultural and social issues were paramount, members did not lose sight of the persuasive political power of arguments relating to trade and investment. The lobbying activities were originally undertaken by members of the Council and took the form of: letters to, and meetings with, politicians and officials; formal and informal submissions to government inquiries; and sponsorship of reports to ministers and departments. There was also a continuous emphasis on the individual responsibility of members to lobby to make the ASAA message heard more widely[1].

The major reports of the ASAA were the Basham Report ('The Teaching of Asian Languages in Australian Universities', 1978[2]), the FitzGerald Report ('Asia In Australian Education: Report of the Committee on Asian Studies to the ASAA', 1980[3]) and the Legge Report ('The Report of the ASAA Asian Studies Committee', 1984[4]). The latter two recommended the formation of an Asian studies council, and such a Council was established in 1986. This represented a major success but subsequently ASAA political activity appeared to lose its focus.

At the May 1976 General Meeting of the ASAA it was resolved to consider the future of Asian studies in Australia, and as a first step a subcommittee, chaired by Arthur Basham, was formed to inquire into 'the teaching of Asian languages in Australian Universities'[5]. Its report was presented at the May 1978 General Meeting[6]. President John Legge regarded the recommendations as 'far reaching and ambitious' but recognised that they would by no means be supported by all members[7]. The recommendation that at least five major Asian languages, Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian, Hindi, Arabic, be taught at university level in every state generated considerable debate even between committee members. This issue was defused partly by representing the Report as a document that didn't require immediate and urgent implementation but would be valuable in the long term in an overall fashioning of official and non-official attitudes. In the prevailing economic and political climate it was felt generally that the Report would not produce immediately noticeable advances[8]. Lobbying of government by non-government organisations requires the preparation and presentation of reports to provide bureaucrats with a foundation for political action[9]. On that basis the Basham Report was drawn to the attention of political leaders and the public service[10]. The Report can be interpreted most favourably as providing inspiration for the more comprehensive and unified Asian Studies Inquiry (resulting in the FitzGerald Report) initiated in 1978[11].

The Committee on Asian Studies chaired by Dr Stephen FitzGerald was to make recommendations about the lack of emphasis on Asian studies in Australia. The resolution to establish the committee reaffirmed the 1976 plan to conduct a major inquiry but was also a response to the 'crisis' in Asian studies identified by FitzGerald in his 1978 keynote Conference address[12]. He suggested that interest in Asian studies had plateaued early or was even in decline[13]. The committee collected information on courses and enrolments at all levels, and collated data on the employment of Asian studies graduates. The FitzGerald Report, presented in 1980[14], attempted to reconcile the diversity of opinions and generated surprisingly little controversy[15]. The recommendations covered: career prospects for Asian studies graduates; curricula and teacher education; and general public education including visual and performing arts and the media[16]. The principal recommendation was the establishment of a Commonwealth Asian Studies Council (ASC) to coordinate planning and funding of initiatives in education about Asia and subsume the role of the Asian Studies Coordinating Committee, disbanded in 1978[17]. The Report emphasised the need to integrate Asian studies in the entire curriculum at all education levels[18].

In contrast to the Basham Report the recommendations were presented as requiring immediate attention. In consequence the Asian Studies Committee, chaired by John Legge[19], was instituted to implement the FitzGerald recommendations, to update the database, and undertake further research[20]. The committee also had an explicit lobbying role, publicising the Association's view on educational policies[21]. Four smaller groups were formed to implement the recommendations: National Curriculum Committee; Media Committee; Information Resources Working Group; and Arts Committee[22]. The Legge Report was presented to the 1984 ASAA Conference[23]. The Report noted little advance in the intervening four years since the FitzGerald Report and it reiterated the need to establish an ASC.

The ASAA lobbied successive governments and finally in 1986 the ASC was established. It is not possible to ascertain the extent to which this can be attributed to the then political and economic climate and the interests of individual civil servants and politicians, and how much it reflected ASAA lobbying. The notion that the Association and particular members had especial influence and personal contacts in government plays an important part in the perception of the ASAA as lobbyists through the eighties. Around 1983, a graduate of Monash University Asian Politics working in the Commonwealth Department of Education was able to assist the ASAA in making meaningful contact with the bureaucracy[24]. In 1987 President Elaine McKay noted good relations with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and with the head of the Cultural Relations Section, Alan Deacon[25]. Earlier the DFA Secretary, Alan Renouf, had contact with the ASAA believing that close dialogue with academic circles was important for his Department[26]. There has also been a perception that the involvement of Stephen FitzGerald in the Association may have gained the ASAA credibility with some Labor ministers[27]. That Prime Minister Hawke opened the 1988 Conference and the Governor General the 1990 Conference was seen as a formal endorsement of the ASAA[28]. This period was a high point: such a view no longer appears to exist in terms of the ASAA's relationship with government[29].

The pathway from the recommendation to establishment of the ASC was somewhat tortuous. The concept was introduced at the 1980 Conference and the FitzGerald Report was sent to various politicians and departments[30]. The concept of the ASC was endorsed at a bureaucratic level, following the appearance of ASAA Executive members before the 1980 Senate Inquiry into Australian-ASEAN Relations[31]. The Senate Standing Committee Report 'Australia and ASEAN' quoted the FitzGerald Report, and endorsed the establishment of an ASC [32]. Senator Knight, the only Australian politician who had joined the ASAA, spoke strongly in the Senate, and has been described as a 'good friend to ASAA'[33]. In October 1981 President Professor Anthony Low wrote to Prime Minister Fraser, it being suggested by the FitzGerald committee that the prevailing national and international economic and political climate was favourable[34]. The proposal appears to have been considered widely within the government[35] and in May 1982 the Prime Minister replied, agreeing to discussions between government and Association representatives. On 6 August 1982 at the Commonwealth Department of Education, the government interdepartmental working party met with the Association, represented by Anthony Low (President), John Legge (chair of the Asian Studies Committee), Elaine McKay (member of committee) and Stephen FitzGerald. Decisions were not finalised then though the proposal to form an ASC was taken seriously. The FitzGerald Report was the subject of a formal submission to Cabinet in late 1981 and recommendations were accepted with the stipulation that budgetary implications be dealt with separately[36]. In the Senate on 24 November 1982 during 'Questions without notice', Senator Peter Baume stated that the FitzGerald Report was under study, and that the government would work with the Association in formulating an appropriate response[37]. Subsequently the ASAA redrafted the submission with the recommendations: that ministers accept in principle the concept of an ASC; that a working party of the ASAA and public servants be established; and that a detailed and costed proposal be presented[38]. Federal budget stringencies and a change of government meant that the proposal remained dormant[39].

With the coming to power of Robert Hawke in 1983 it appeared to the ASAA that the Federal government might be more receptive[40]. While the FitzGerald Report had painted Asian studies as vital in the national interest, trade and economy now became central to the argument.

Through representation of the ASAA at a Joint Committee into Australia and ASEAN (1984), the idea of an ASC was revived and it received a strong and favourable recommendation in the final Report. Dr Frank Frost was secretary/special adviser to the ASEAN committee and drafted the Report. He was an ASAA member and well aware of the FitzGerald Report. By inserting a reference to the ASC it become an issue for the government[41]. In February 1985 the ASAA submitted to government another proposal for an ASC emphasising Australia's geographic and trade relations. The ASAA portrayed the ASC as a body able to link these interests with the educational system[42]. President Professor Jamie Mackie spoke with many senior public servants and concluded that substantial funds were unlikely in the 1985 budget[43]. At that stage the ASAA employed Canberra lobbyist, Peter Cullen, at a cost of several hundred dollars to pursue the matter[44]. He suggested something less ambitious, proposing an 'Asian studies task force' to address the most urgent needs of Asian studies in Australia, such as teacher education and curricula[45]. The Association took this advice, approaching Federal Education Minister Senator Ryan in March 1985, and subsequently making a submission to the Teacher Education Review[46]. The ASAA however maintained its interest in a full ASC. In April 1985, in response to the 1984 Australia and ASEAN Report, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Hayden agreed to establish with the Minister for Education Senator Ryan, a working party to examine the concept of an ASC as recommended by the committee[47]. In mid-1985 President Mackie was asked to meet with the secretaries of the three Departments, Foreign Affairs, Education, and Trade. Mackie knew these people but the meeting was difficult to arrange and didn't take place until September 1985[48]. At that stage an interdepartmental working party was nominated to develop a proposal within the 1986 budget process. It was established in the Department of Trade and included representation from both the Departments of Education and of Foreign Affairs[49]. It was chaired by a former head of the Department of Trade, Jim Scully, and included ASAA members Elaine McKay and Jamie Mackie. The Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Geoff Miller, also on the working party and known by Elaine McKay, was sympathetic to the cause[50]. In mid-1986 the ASC was again on the Cabinet agenda and the decision came in time to be announced at the 1986 Conference dinner[51]. Although the Council was less well funded than originally proposed, it was nonetheless considered a triumph and the Association took considerable credit for its final establishment.

The concept of the Asian Studies Council had been sold to the government on economic grounds and considerable discussion ensued about which of the three Ministers, (Education, Trade or Foreign Affairs) would assume responsibility: ultimately Education was seen as most appropriate[52]. Education Minister Senator Ryan, Foreign Affairs Minister Hayden, and Trade Minister Dawkins, jointly announced the decision to establish the Council for an initial five year period, proclaiming its role to be to advise the government urgently on, and promote a strategy to meet, growing national requirements in the next decade[53]. It should 'stimulate and promote national awareness of Asia in industry and the community; and provide a national perspective on Asian Studies requirements in Australian education at all levels'[54]. The nine member Council represented the business, union, education and government sectors[55] and was chaired by Stephen FitzGerald as recommended by the working party[56].

Despite suggestions by FitzGerald that the ASAA be represented on the ASC this never eventuated[57]. Contact with developments in the Council was maintained through informal liaison with ASC members Dr Nancy Viviani and Martyn Cove and through receipt of copies of agendas and non-confidential background papers[58]. Later, ASAA member Professor John Ingleson was on the Council.

Having expended so much energy on the establishment of the Asian Studies Council the ASAA had then to reinvent itself in relation to the issue and took on a role of monitoring ASC activities[59]. In 1988 President Elaine McKay recognised that the Association's position had changed from 'supplicant at the feet of government to that of collaborator, commentator and critic of policy'[60]. The ASAA had considerable impact on the ASC National Strategy document as the Executive and the Education Advisory Committee commented on drafts of the strategy[61]. In particular McKay debated with FitzGerald the failure of the document to acknowledge the significance of Asians in Australia, the emphasis on language studies at the expense of Asian studies, the near exclusion of South Asia, and an approach to educational change and development that failed to recognise the time taken to train suitable teachers[62]. The ASAA also lobbied the ASC in regard to the Ingleson Report 'Asia in Australian Higher Education: Report of the Inquiry Into the Teaching of Asian Studies and Languages in Higher Education' (1989), which re-emphasised the link between education and economy through its heavy references to employer demand[63]. John Ingleson was an ASAA member and recommended by the ASAA, but the Association was consulted also on the terms of reference, made a submission and members were surveyed as part of the research[64].

The ASC was not funded beyond its five year term, and the ASAA has been involved in criticism and support of the bodies that were set up to replace it, particularly the Asia Education Foundation[65]. The ASC nonetheless remains the primary and most visible focus of the Association's lobbying of the Federal Government and the momentum created by the issue has never been evident in any other lobbying projects. Other issues, before, during and since, have not been so strictly related to Asian studies but had wider social and academic implications. The Association has made numerous responses and submissions to government inquiries including: Tertiary Education Commission on the study leave question (1978)[66]; Senate and Joint Committees on Australia and ASEAN (1980 and 1984)[67]; National Inquiry into Teacher Education (1980)[68]; Senate inquiry into a national language policy (1985)[69]; National Language Policy (1987)[70]; Senate inquiry into Higher education (1988)[71]; Inquiry into the Teaching of Asian Studies and Languages in Higher Education (1989)[72]; the Senate Committee on Australia-India Relations (1989)[73]; COAG Hobart Declaration (1994)[74].

The ASAA has been concerned with a range of specific issues. A resolution of the May 1976 Conference was for an appeal to Senator Carrick to continue support of an English-Malay dictionary project[75]. A Canberra based committee was formed in 1977 to discuss with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnamese Embassy the development of cultural and academic relations with Vietnam[76]. In 1980 President Professor Wang Gungwu wrote to the Department of Immigration regarding the imposition of fees for overseas students at tertiary institutions [77]. Lobbying about widespread funding cuts and amalgamations of Colleges of Advanced Education and the resulting threat to established courses in Asian Studies occurred during 1982[78]. In 1988 the Association contacted the Minister for Employment, Education and Training about the future of Asian studies at ANU[79]. Occasionally the Association has been able to be less pessimistic. In 1982 it sent letters praising the effectiveness of a range of Commonwealth funded activities promoting Asian studies, in particular, the work of the Curriculum Development Centre and the publication of Hemisphere by the Department of Education[80].

While in 1990 the ASAA considered that it had established itself as a peak organisation, no longer a 'slight irritant on the periphery of government'[81], by 1993 there was concern about a lack of direction and impetus in dealing with government[82]. A Policy Working Party was established to explore new directions noting that it was vital to raise the profile not only among academics but also those interested in promoting Asian studies in education and the general population; the Association should try to involve itself in relevant processes such as the deliberations of government committees, evaluation of curricula at any level and assisting people wishing to teach about Asia in Australia[83]. More recently the Association has lobbied to save programs to promote Asian studies, to continue the Asian and National Asian Studies Libraries Awards[84], and to maintain the Australian Awards for Research in Asia scheme, and the National Asian Language Scholarship scheme[85].

Two issues have remained important in the context of the Association lobbying Federal government. The ASAA has been concerned that it not be outcompeted by the powerful lobbying of particular ethnic communities. Tension between the multicultural lobby, which emerged with great influence in the mid-1970s, and the ASAA was evident as the former gained an ascendancy in education policy making and achieved political support for community language programs. Competition for scarce resources was a major concern, and even after targeted funds were supplied by the ASC the ASAA remained vigilant[86]. The Association has also attempted to ensure that the lip service paid to Asian studies has resulted in material development[87]. It has been aware that having marketed the importance of Asian studies as an economic issue, Asian studies nonetheless have their own integrity, and must not be subverted or compromised by those seeing Asia simply in market terms[88].

The difficulty of influencing state policy through a national association has been a major problem. ASAA members have been variously active in the lobbying of State governments to improve Asian studies. The ASAA Executive has also acted, for instance letters were written to NSW Premier Wran offering assistance with his proposed introduction of Asian languages into primary schools by 1980 and to other State Departments of Education urging them to do likewise[89]. State committees were formed in response to a recommendation of the FitzGerald Committee[90] and these were envisioned as having a central role in recommendations regarding teacher and school education. By 1982 committees operated in every state and state membership was subsequently introduced[91]. State branches were formally established in August 1983[92]. While the Northern Territory has a diverse Asian population it has only one university and has not played a major role in ASAA affairs. State groups were relatively active during the early 1980s. The SA committee responded to the Keeves Report on 'Education and change in South Australia' in 1982[93]. In 1983 the NSW Committee had made a submission to the NSW Board of Senior School Studies Advisory Committee on Languages[94] and during 1984 scrutinised the proposed HSC syllabus. In 1984 the WA branch lobbied successfully for modifications to proposed changes in tertiary entrance requirements and the Tasmanian branch lobbied against abolition of Indonesian in Tasmanian schools[95]. By 1987 this structured nature of ASAA state members' lobbying was no longer apparent[96]: Victorian members of the ASAA Council and Education Advisory Committee rather than a state branch discussed the National Language Policy Report with the State Minister for Education[97].

Footnotes

[1] McKay, E (ed), 'Asia and Australian Schools', ASAA Review, vol5, no1, July, 1981, pp32-34, p34. Ingleson, J, 'Implementing the FitzGerald Report', ASAA Review, vol4, no3, April 1981, pp21-23, p23.

[2] Wang Gungwu, 'Notes from the President: Professor AL Basham', ASAA Review, vol3, no3, April 1980, p2.

[3] Asia in Australia Education: Report of the Committee on Asian studies of the Asian Studies Association of Australia, Volume 1 Discussion and Recommendations, Canberra, 1980. Asia in Australia Education: Report of the Committee on Asian studies of the Asian Studies Association of Australia, Volume 2 Data on Asian Studies in Australia Appendices, Canberra, 1980. Asia in Australia Education: Report of the Committee on Asian studies of the Asian Studies Association of Australia, Volume 3 Resolutions of the Association, Canberra, 1980.

[4] 'Summary of the Report of the ASAA Asian Studies Committee. Presented to the ASAA Conference, Adelaide, May 1984'. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[5] The convenor of the subcommittee was Professor AL Basham, other members included Professors H Bolitho, JD Legge, C Mackerras and H Simon. 'ASAA sub-committee on the teaching of Asian languages', Asian Studies Association of Australia Newsletter, vol2, no3, March/April, 1977, pp5-6, p5. 'ASAA Council Meeting from ST Leong, Secretary', ASAA Review, vol1, no1, July 1977, pp5-8, pp5-6.

[6] Wang Gungwu, 'Notes from the President: Professor AL Basham', ASAA Review, vol3, no3, April 1980, p2.

[7] Legge, JD, 'President's Report', ASAA Review, vol2, no1, July 1978, pp15-17, p15.

[8] Legge, JD, 'President's Report', ASAA Review, vol2, no1, July 1978, pp15-17, p15. Wang Gungwu, 'Notes from the President: Professor AL Basham', ASAA Review, vol3, no3, April 1980, p2. Minutes, May, 1978. In folder labelled 'ASAA Elections, SEA publication blurbs + ASAA Membership Fee', MS8054, 13/9/88 consignment, box 2 of 6.

[9] Conversation with Elaine McKay, Canberra, 4th June 1997.

[10] 'Minutes of the Joint Executive (9) of the ASAA held on 13 Oct 1978 at the University of New South Wales'. In folder labelled 'Council and Exec Meetings 1978-80', MS8054, 13/9/88 consignment, box 3 of 6.

[11] 'Minutes of the Biennial General Meeting of the ASAA held on Tues 26 August 1980 at Griffith University, Brisbane'. In folder labelled 'Council and Exec Meetings 1978-80', MS8054, 13/9/88 consignment, box 3 of 6.

[12] Minutes, May, 1978. In folder labelled 'ASAA Elections, SEA publication blurbs + ASAA Membership Fee', MS8054, 13/9/88 consignment, box 2 of 6.

[13] FitzGerald, S, 'The Asian Studies Crisis ASAA, Government and People. Conference Lecture, Second National Conference of the Asian Studies Association of Australia May 1978', ASAA Review, vol2, no1, July 1978, pp1-13, pp2-3.

[14] The recommendations of the Report, with some amendments, became resolutions of the Association at the Third Biennial ASAA Conference, Griffith University, 25-29 August, 1980. Asia in Australia Education: Report of the Committee on Asian studies of the Asian Studies Association of Australia, Volume 3 Resolutions of the Association, Canberra, 1980, p1. It was the first major report on Asian studies since the Commonwealth Government sponsored Auchmuty Report: 'Report by the Commonwealth Advisory Committee on the teaching of Asian Languages and Cultures in Australia, August 1970'.

[15] 'Implementing the FitzGerald Report', ASAA Review, vol5, no1, July, 1981, p23. Asia in Australia Education: Report of the Committee on Asian studies of the Asian Studies Association of Australia, Volume 1 Discussion and Recommendations, Canberra, 1980, pi.

[16] Asia in Australia Education: Report of the Committee on Asian studies of the Asian Studies Association of Australia, Volume 1 Discussion and Recommendations, Canberra, 1980, piii.

[17] The Australian Education Council's Asian studies Coordinating Committee was a Commonwealth initiative set up by Malcolm Fraser. Asia in Australia Education: Report of the Committee on Asian studies of the Asian Studies Association of Australia, Volume 1 Discussion and Recommendations, Canberra, 1980, p14. 'Points arising from FitzGerald Committee meeting 7-8 February for consideration by ASAA Council'. In folder labelled 'AC Committee FitzGerald and others to 1980', MS8054, 13/9/88 consignment, box 3 of 6.

[18] Asia in Australia Education: Report of the Committee on Asian studies of the Asian Studies Association of Australia, Volume 1 Discussion and Recommendations, Canberra, 1980, p13.

[19] Other members were Professor S Crawcour, Dr C Inglis, Dr JTF Jordens, Professor JAC Mackie, Ms Elaine McKay, Sir Russel Madigan, Dr I Proudfoot, Professor Wang Gungwu, Ms Marguerite Wells, Professor P Worsley. Research Assistant: Marie Newey. 'Summary of the Report of the ASAA Asian Studies Committee. Presented to the ASAA Conference, Adelaide, May 1984'. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[20] Ingleson, J, 'Implementing the FitzGerald Report', ASAA Review, vol4, no3, April 1981, pp21-23, p22.

[21] In 1986 the Asian Studies Committee was replaced by the Education Advisory Committee whose role was to monitor trends in Asian studies and advise the ASAA Council on how to promote Asian studies. 'Minutes of the Meeting of the Council of the Asian Studies Association of Australia, on November 21, 1986, at the University of NSW'. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[22] Ingleson, J, 'December Council Meeting ', ASAA Review, vol4, no3, April 1981, pp61-64, p63. See Chapter Three: The Lobbying of Media, and Chapter Seven: Visual and Performing Arts, for further discussion.

[23] Fifth Biennial ASAA Conference, University of Adelaide, 13-19 May, 1984. 'Australia in Asia: Asia in Australia, prospects and problems of increasing interaction'.

[24] Conversation with Elaine McKay, Canberra, 4th June 1997.

[25] McKay, E, 'ASAA Council Meeting August 1st 1987 President's Report', 31 July 1987. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[26] Letter from Alan Renouf (Secretary Department of Foreign Affairs) to JAC Mackie, 30 June 1976. In folder labelled 'Misc.', MS8054, 13/9/88 consignment, box 2 of 6.

[27] Conversation with Anthony Reid, Canberra, 10th February 1997. Conversation with Jamie Mackie, Canberra, 4th June 1997. Conversation with Elaine McKay, Canberra, 4th June 1997.

[28] McKay, E, 'ASAA Matters: President's Report', ASAA Review, vol11, no3, April, 1988, pp23-25, p24. McKay, E, 'ASAA Matters: President's report to Council, 1990', Asian Studies Review, vol14, no2, November, 1990, pp167-172, p170. Seventh Biennial ASAA Conference (Bicentennial Conference of the ASAA), Australian National University, 11-15 February, 1988. Eighth Biennial ASAA Conference, Griffith University, 2-5 July, 1990. 'Australia and Asia: Meeting the Challenge of the Future'.

[29] Mackerras, C, 'The Role of the ASAA and Issues in Asian Studies', Asian Studies Review, vol17, no1, July, 1993, pp167-170, p168.

[30] Conversation with Jamie Mackie, Canberra, 4th June 1997. 'Minutes of the Executive Meeting of the Asian Studies Association of Australia held on Friday, 31 October 1980 at the Australian National University'. In folder labelled 'Council and Executive meeting 1980-1982', MS8054, 13/9/88 consignment, box 1 of 6. Ingleson, J, 'Implementing the FitzGerald Report', ASAA Review, vol4, no3, April 1981, pp21-23, p21.

[31] President: Wang Gungwu, Secretary: John Ingleson, Treasurer: Peter Young. 'Minutes of the Biennial General Meeting of the ASAA held on Tues 26 August 1980 at Griffith University, Brisbane'. In folder labelled 'Council and Exec Meetings 1978-80', MS8054, 13/9/88 consignment, box 3 of 6.

[32] Ingleson, J, 'Implementing the FitzGerald Report', ASAA Review, vol4, no3, April 1981, pp21-23, p22.

[33] 'In Memoriam: John Knight ', ASAA Review, vol4, no3, April 1981, p20.

[34] 'Implementing the FitzGerald Report', ASAA Review, vol6, no2, November, 1982, pp23-25, p23. 'Points arising from FitzGerald Committee meeting 7-8 February for consideration by ASAA Council'. In folder labelled 'AC Committee FitzGerald and others to 1980', MS8054, 13/9/88 consignment, box 3 of 6. 'Minutes of the Council Meeting of the ASAA held on Saturday 29 August 1981 at the University of New South Wales'. In folder labelled 'Council Meeting August 1981', MS8054, 13/9/88 consignment, box 3 of 6.

[35] 'Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Asian Studies Association of Australia held at Rotunda Theatre 1, at Monash University, Clayton, Victoria at 2.00pm, on Wed 12th May, 1982'. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[36] 'Implementing the FitzGerald Report', ASAA Review, vol6, no2, November, 1982, pp23-25, pp23-24.

[37] Parliamentary Debates, Senate, Official Transcript, vol97 (from 23 Nov to 16 Dec 1982), Questions without notice, 24 November 1982, Canberra, 1983, p2710.

[38] 'Minutes of the meeting of the Council of the Asian Studies Association of Australia held on Sunday 5 December 1982 at the University of New South Wales'. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[39] 'Draft Proposal Asian Studies Council Memorandum submitted by the Asian Studies Association of Australia, February 1985'. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[40] Conversation with Elaine McKay, Canberra, 4th June 1997.

[41] Australia. Parliament. Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, Australia and ASEAN : challenges and opportunities, Canberra, 1984. Conversation with Jamie Mackie, Canberra, 4th June 1997.

[42] 'Draft Proposal Asian Studies Council Memorandum submitted by the Asian Studies Association of Australia, February 1985'. Private papers of John Ingleson. Mackie, JAC, 'Asian Studies Council Negotiations', (attachment for item 4 for Meeting of Council, Friday 29 November 1985, at the University of NSW). Private papers of John Ingleson.

[43] These included members of Foreign Affairs and the Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of Education, the Chair of the Commonwealth Tertiary Education Commission, the Director of the Curriculum Development Centre and the Chair of the Public Service Board. Mackie, JAC, 'Asian Studies Council Negotiations', (attachment for item 4 for Meeting of Council, Friday 29 November 1985, at the University of NSW). Private papers of John Ingleson.

[44] Mackie, JAC, 'Asian Studies Council Negotiations', (attachment for item 4 for Meeting of Council, Friday 29 November 1985, at the University of NSW). Private papers of John Ingleson. Conversation with Jamie Mackie, Canberra, 4th June 1997.

[45] Mackie, JAC, 'An Asian Studies Council....?', ASAA Review, vol9, no1, July, 1985, p33.

[46] Mackie, JAC, 'Asian Studies Council Negotiations', (attachment for item 4 for Meeting of Council, Friday 29 November 1985, at the University of NSW). Private papers of John Ingleson.

[47] Mackie, JAC, 'An Asian Studies Council....?', ASAA Review, vol9, no1, July, 1985, p33.

[48] Conversation with Jamie Mackie, Canberra, 4th June 1997. Mackie, JAC, 'Asian Studies Council Negotiations', (attachment for item 4 for Meeting of Council, Friday 29 November 1985, at the University of NSW). Private papers of John Ingleson.

[49] FitzGerald, S, Is Australia an Asian Country?: Can Australia survive in an East Asian future?, St Leonards, NSW, 1997, p77.

[50] Conversation with Elaine McKay, Canberra, 4th June 1997. The other members of the working party were Alan Abrahart (Senior Advisor, Department of Education), Jim Giles (Assistant Director General - Curriculum, South Australian Department of Education), Max Suich (Chief Editorial Executive, John Fairfax and Sons Pty Ltd), Colin Teese (Deputy Secretary, Department of Trade - represented by Phil Connelly, First Assistant Secretary). Secretary to the working party was Bob Kinnaird (Assistant Secretary, Department of Education). Report of working party on Asian Studies Council, Canberra, 1986.

[51] Conversation with Jamie Mackie, Canberra, 4th June 1997. Sixth Biennial ASAA Conference, Sydney University, 11-16 May, 1986. 'Asian Encounters: Perceptions/ Politics/ Profits'.

[52] FitzGerald, S, Is Australia an Asian Country?: Can Australia survive in an East Asian future?, St Leonards, NSW, 1997, pp77-78.

[53] 'Asian Studies Council Established', ASAA Review, vol10, no1, July, 1986, p67.

[54] 'Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Asian Studies Association of Australia held at the University of Sydney on 15 May 1986'. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[55] The membership of the ASC as reported in Asian Studies Council, A National Strategy for the Study of Asia in Australia, Canberra, 1988 was Dr Stephen FitzGerald, Chair, and David Buckingham (First Assistant Secretary, Commonwealth Department of Employment, Education and Training), John Butters (formerly President, Australian High School Principals' Association), Martyn Cove (Executive Director, Educational Programs, Education Department of Tasmania), Andrew Grummet (ASEAN Liaison Partner, Price Waterhouse, and Vice-Chair ASEAN Australia Business Council), Michael Lightowler (Deputy Secretary, Commonwealth Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade), Ma Wei Pin (Regional Secretary, International Union of Food and Allied Workers Associations (Asia and Pacific)), Dr Kyoko Sheridan (Director, Japan-Australia Business Studies Program, Elton Mayo (School of Management, South Australian Institute of Technology), Professor Nancy Viviani (Head, Department of Political Science, ANU).

[56] Conversation with Elaine McKay, Canberra, 4th June 1997

[57] McKay, E, 'ASAA Council Meeting August 1st 1987 President's Report', 31 July 1987. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[58] McKay, E, 'ASAA Council Meeting August 1st 1987 President's Report', 31 July 1987. Private papers of John Ingleson. Letter from Stephen FitzGerald (Chair, Asian Studies Council) to Elaine McKay (ASAA President), 23 March 1987. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[59] Conversation with Elaine McKay, Canberra, 4th June 1997.

[60] McKay, E, 'ASAA Matters: President's Report', ASAA Review, vol11, no3, April, 1988, pp23-25, p23.

[61] McKay, E, 'ASAA Matters: President's Report 1989', ASAA Review, vol12, no3, April, 1989, pp45-47, p45.

[62] Conversation with Elaine McKay, Canberra, 4th June 1997. 'Minutes ASAA Council Meeting, Wednesday 10 February 1988 at the ANU'. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[63] Asia in Australian Higher Education: Report of the Inquiry into the Teaching of Asian Studies and languages in Higher Education, submitted to the Asian Studies Council, Kensington, NSW, 1989.

[64] McKay, E, 'ASAA Matters: President's Report 1989', ASAA Review, vol12, no3, April, 1989, pp45-47, p45.

[65] McGregor, J, 'The Asia Education Foundation: An Overview', Asian Stuudies Review, vol17, no2, November, 1993, pp147-151, pp150-151.

[66] Legge, JD, 'President's letter to the Tertiary Education Commission on the study leave question', ASAA Review, vol2, no1, July 1978, LFE.

[67] Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, Australia and ASEAN: Report from the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, Canberra, 1980. Australia. Parliament. Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, Australia and ASEAN : challenges and opportunities, Canberra, 1984.

[68] Letter from Wang Gungwu (ASAA President) to Professor JJ Auchmuty, 1 May 1979, with attached submission. In folder labelled 'AC Committee FitzGerald and others to 1980', MS8054, 13/9/88 consignment, box 3 of 6.

[69] The enquiry into 'The Development and Implementation of a Coordinated Language Policy for Australia' by the Senate Standing Committee on Education and the Arts. 'Inquiry into a Language policy for Australia: Submission from the Asian Studies Committee of ASAA-Chairman, Professor JD Legge', ASAA Review, vol7, no1, July, 1983, pp14-17.

[70] 'Minutes of the Executive Meeting of the ASAA Friday 22 May 1987 at the University of New South Wales'. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[71] 'ASAA Matters', ASAA Review, vol12, no2, November, 1988, pp57-59, p57.

[72] 'ASAA Council Meeting 27-28 May 1988'. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[73] Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, (Reference: Australia-India Relations), Melbourne, Tuesday, 16 May 1989, Canberra, 1989.

[74] Council Minutes, 6 March 1994. (http://www.ssn.flinders.edu.au/asian/council/coun94-1.htm> (15/2/1997).

[75] Letter from AL Basham to Malcolm Fraser (Prime Minister), 16 June 1976. Private Papers of Helen Jarvis. Legge, JD, 'ASAA President's Report', 4 June 1977. In folder labelled 'ASAA Council Meeting', MS8054, 13/9/88 consignment, box 2 of 6.

[76] Legge, JD, 'ASAA President's Report', 4 June 1977. In folder labelled 'ASAA Council Meeting', MS8054, 13/9/88 consignment, box 2 of 6. 'ASAA Council Meeting from ST Leong, Secretary', ASAA Review, vol1, no1, July 1977, pp5-8, p5. Legge, JD, 'President's Report', ASAA Review, vol2, no1, July 1978, pp15-17, p16. A proposed visit to Vietnam by an Australian delegation including ASAA representation was postponed indefinitely in 1979 due to the cessation of government aid to Vietnam. Following the Second ASAA Offshore Conference, 'Old Cultures in a New Asia', Hong Kong, 29 June-2 July 1991, an ASAA delegation visited Vietnam and a report of the visit was forwarded to the Foreign Minister. 'Minutes of the Executive Meeting of the ASAA held on 11 May 1979 in Sydney'. In folder labelled 'Council and Exec Meetings 1978-80', MS8054, 13/9/88 consignment, box 3 of 6. 'Executive Mtg 2/91 23 August 1991 Minutes'. In folder labelled 'ASAA General', MS8054, 24/7/92 consignment, box 1 of 4.

[77] 'Minutes of the Executive Meeting of the Asian Studies Association of Australia held on Friday, 31 October 1980 at the Australian National University'. In folder labelled 'Council and Executive meeting 1980-1982', MS8054, 13/9/88 consignment, box 1 of 6.

[78] 'Minutes of the meeting of the Council of the Asian Studies Association of Australia held on Sunday 5 December 1982 at the University of New South Wales'. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[79] Letter from JS Dawkins (Minister for Employment, Education and Training) to Elaine McKay (ASAA President), stamped 14 February 1989. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[80] 'Minutes of the meeting of the Council of the Asian Studies Association of Australia held on Sunday 5 December 1982 at the University of New South Wales'. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[81] McKay, E, 'ASAA Matters: President's report to Council, 1990', Asian Studies Review, vol14, no2, November, 1990, pp167-172, p169.

[82] Mackerras, C, 'The Role of the ASAA and Issues in Asian Studies', Asian Studies Review, vol17, no1, July, 1993, pp167-170, p168.

[83] Policy Working Party ASAA, 'Policy: Issues and Options', Asian Studies Review, vol18, no1, July, 1994, pp117-135, p119.

[84] Executive Minutes, 11 March 1995. (http://www.ssn.flinders.edu.au/asian/exec/exec95-1.htm> (15/2/1997).

[85] Council Minutes ('yet to be confirmed'), 19 August 1995. (http://www.ssn.flinders.edu.au/asian/council/coun95-3.htm> (15/2/1997).

[86] Conversation with Elaine McKay, Canberra, 4th June 1997.

[87] McKay, E, 'ASAA Council Meeting August 1st 1987 President's Report', 31 July 1987. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[88] McKay, E, 'ASAA Matters: President's Report', ASAA Review, vol11, no3, April, 1988, pp23-25, p24. Memorandum from Colin Brown to David Schak, 13 November 1988. In folder labelled 'ASAA Bicentennial Conference - DFA-Cultural Relations', MS8054, 24/7/92 consignment, box 4 of 4.

[89] Letter from Wang Gungwu (ASAA President) to Neville Wran (NSW Premier), 21 December 1978. In folder labelled 'ASAA 1978/79', MS8054, 13/9/88 consignment, box 2 of 6. Letter from Neville Wran (NSW Premier) to Wang Gungwu (ASAA President), 5 February 1979. In folder labelled 'ASAA 1978/79', MS8054, 13/9/88 consignment, box 2 of 6. Letter from John Ingleson (ASAA Secretary) to Clyde Gilmour (Department of Education, Qld), nd. In folder labelled 'ASAA 1978/79', MS8054, 13/9/88 consignment, box 2 of 6.

[90] Legge, JD (Chair, Asian Studies Committee), 'To: ASAA State Committees', 11 August 1981. Private Papers of Helen Jarvis.

[91] Ingleson, J, 'Report on ASAA Council Meeting, 5 December 1982', ASAA Review, vol6, no3, April, 1983, pp63-65, p64.

[92] Ingleson, J, 'Report on ASAA Council Meeting, 12 August 1983', ASAA Review, vol7, no2, November, 1983, pp45-47, p46.

[93] Mackie, J, 'Commentary', ASAA Review, vol6, no2, November, 1982, pp29-33, p31. Letter from Stephen S Large (Convenor, ASAA South Australian Committee) to 'John', 26 November 1982. Private papers of John Ingleson. Inglis, C, 'Asia and Australian Schools', ASAA Review, vol6, no3, April, 1983, pp48-51, p51.

[94] Inglis, C (Convenor, ASAA NSW Committee), 'Asian Studies Association of Australia NSW Committee: Minutes of Meeting held on Friday 18 March 1983'. Private Papers of Helen Jarvis. 'Submission to the Advisory Committee on Languages from the NSW State Committee of the Asian Studies Association of Australia'. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[95] 'Minutes of the meeting of the council of the Asian Studies Association of Australia, held on Friday November 30 1984 at the University of NSW'. Private papers of John Ingleson. Black, I, 'Council Meeting, November 1984', ASAA Review, vol8, no3, April, 1985, pp30-31, p30.

[96] Letter from Paul Strange to Christine Inglis (ASAA Secretary), 22 July 1987. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[97] Legge, JD, 'ASAA Report of the Education Advisory Committee', (attachment for item 12 ASAA Council Meeting, 1 August 1987 agenda). In folder labelled 'ASAA Conference 1988: ASAA Council', MS8054, 24/7/92 consignment, box 3 of 4. 'Minutes of the Meeting of the Council of the Asian Studies Association of Australia 1 August 1987 at the University of Sydney'. Private papers of John Ingleson.

Go to Table of Contents
Go to Previous Section
Go to Next Section
Go to ASAA home page
This WWW server is provided by the Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies (RSPAS) at the Australian National University, Canberra.

Maintainer: Dr T.Matthew Ciolek (tmciolek@coombs.anu.edu.au)

Copyright © 1997-1999 by Rebecca King and ASAA. This Web page may be linked to any other Web pages. Contents may not be altered. The ASAA does not control or endorse the content of third party Web Sites.

This page has been tested for full accessibility

URL http://coombs.anu.edu.au/SpecialProj/ASAA/King/King03.html

Site design and implementation by Dr T.Matthew Ciolek.