DOCSLIB.ORG

Cancer in Australia 2017

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Cancer in Australia 2017 Cancer in Australia 2017 presents the latest available CANCER IN AUSTRALIA information on national population screening programs, Medicare data, cancer incidence, hospitalisations, survival, prevalence, mortality and burden of disease. Cancer is the leading cause of disease burden in Australia. For all cancers combined, the incidence rate increased from 383 per 100,000 persons in 1982 to 504 per 100,000 in 2008, before an expected decrease to 470 per 100,000 in 2017. During the same period, the mortality rate decreased from 209 per 100,000 in 1982 to 161 per 100,000 in 2017. Cancer survival has improved over time. It is estimated that the most commonly diagnosed cancers in Australia in 2017 will be breast cancer in females, followed by colorectal cancer and prostate cancer (excluding basal and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, as 2017 these cancers are not notifiable diseases in Australia). IN AUSTRALIA 2017 AIHW Australasian Association of Cancer Registries CANCER SERIES Number 101 Cancer in Australia 2017 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Canberra Cat. no. CAN 100 The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare is a major national agency that provides reliable, regular and relevant information and statistics on Australia’s health and welfare. The Institute’s purpose is to provide authoritative information and statistics to promote better health and wellbeing among Australians. © Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2017 This product, excluding the AIHW logo, Commonwealth Coat of Arms and any material owned by a third party or protected by a trademark, has been released under a Creative Commons BY 3.0 (CC-BY 3.0) licence. Excluded material owned by third parties may include, for example, design and layout, images obtained under licence from third parties and signatures. We have made all reasonable efforts to identify and label material owned by third parties. You may distribute, remix and build upon this work. However, you must attribute the AIHW as the copyright holder of the work in compliance with our attribution policy available at <www.aihw.gov.au/copyright/>. The full terms and conditions of this licence are available at <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/>. This publication is part of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s Cancer series. A complete list of the Institute’s publications is available from the Institute’s website <www.aihw.gov.au>. ISSN 2205-4855 (PDF) ISSN 1039-3307 (Print) ISBN 978-1-76054-075-3 (PDF) ISBN 978-1-76054-076-0 (Print) Suggested citation Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2017. Cancer in Australia 2017. Cancer series no.101. Cat. no. CAN 100. Canberra: AIHW. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Board Chair Director Mrs Louise Markus Mr Barry Sandison Any enquiries relating to copyright or comments on this publication should be directed to: Digital and Media Communications Unit Australian Institute of Health and Welfare GPO Box 570 Canberra ACT 2601 Tel: (02) 6244 1000 Email: [email protected] Published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare This publication is printed in accordance with ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems) and ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems). The paper is sourced from sustainably managed certified forests. Please note that there is the potential for minor revisions of data in this report. Please check the online version at <www.aihw.gov.au> for any amendments. Contents Acknowledgments.............................................................................................................................. vi Abbreviations ..................................................................................................................................... vii Symbols ............................................................................................................................................. viii Summary .............................................................................................................................................. ix Data at a glance ..................................................................................................................................... x 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Data sources ............................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Risk factors for cancer ............................................................................................................ 3 Section one: an overview .................................................................................................................... 8 2 Surveillance and early detection................................................................................................ 9 2.1 Population-based cancer screening ...................................................................................... 9 2.2 Medicare-subsidised surveillance, detection and monitoring tests ............................... 12 3 Number of new cases ................................................................................................................. 17 3.1 All cancers combined............................................................................................................ 17 3.2 Most commonly diagnosed cancers ................................................................................... 20 3.3 In situ tumours ...................................................................................................................... 24 4 Treatment ..................................................................................................................................... 29 4.1 Hospitalisations for all cancers combined ......................................................................... 30 4.2 Hospitalisations for principal diagnosis of cancer ........................................................... 32 4.3 Hospitalisations for chemotherapy .................................................................................... 33 4.4 Radiotherapy for cancer ....................................................................................................... 35 4.5 Hospitalisations for palliative care for cancer ................................................................... 38 5 Survival and survivorship after a cancer diagnosis ............................................................. 40 5.1 Survival ................................................................................................................................... 40 5.2 Survivorship population ...................................................................................................... 50 6 Number of deaths ....................................................................................................................... 53 6.1 All cancers combined............................................................................................................ 53 6.2 Most common causes of death from cancer ...................................................................... 57 7 Burden of disease........................................................................................................................ 62 7.1 All cancers combined............................................................................................................ 62 7.2 Cancer type ............................................................................................................................ 63 iii 8 Key population groups .............................................................................................................. 66 8.1 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people ................................................................... 67 8.2 State and territory ................................................................................................................. 69 8.3 Remoteness area .................................................................................................................... 71 8.4 Socioeconomic group............................................................................................................ 72 Section two: Selected cancers ........................................................................................................... 75 9 Summary pages for selected cancers ....................................................................................... 76 All cancers combined (C00–C97, D45, D46, D47.1, D47.3–D47.5) ......................................... 76 Acute myeloid leukaemia (C92.0, C92.3–C92.6, C92.8, C93.0, C94.0, C94.2, C94.4–C94.5) ................................................................................................................................. 78 Anal cancer (C21) ......................................................................................................................... 80 Bladder cancer (C67) ................................................................................................................... 82 Brain cancer (C71) ........................................................................................................................ 84 Breast cancer (C50) ...................................................................................................................... 86 Cervical cancer (C53) ..................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Revised Proof
    Housing Policy in Australia “Australia has avoided a recession in its economic system for nigh on 30 years. Good management our political leaders claim. But Australia’s housing system has failed throughout this time: homelessness has risen; insecure and unaffordable rental are common-place; the over-valuing of homeownership has escalated; and a massive shortage of social and affordable housing has been allowed to develop. How is such neglect or mismanagement of Australians’ housing dreams possible? This book explains why and what to do about it. Pawson, Milligan and Yates carefully document compelling evidence on these issues to provide a contemporary and robust analysis of the when, where, how and why of housing problems in Australia. Moreover, the authors provide the policy solutions and actions to be taken by Federal, State and local governments, as well as the development, fnance and property management industries. Pawson, Milligan and Yates are Australia’s foremostPROOF housing analysts. This book is essential reading for anyone with an interest or a care in reforming Australia’s housing system to be once again ft for all Australians.” —Ian Winter, Housing consultant, and Director, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute 2000–17 “Housing policy and housing systems are rapidly changing and profoundly reshaping access to affordable and high quality housing across all Australia’s cities and regions. Housing Policy in Australia superbly harnesses international evidence and more than two decades of experience to not only analyse but also provide potential solutions to the current housing policy impasse. The book’s comprehen- sive canvassing of housing system diversity—tenures, social differentiation, histor- ical trends—will become necessary reading for housing practitioners and students.
    [Show full text]
  • Fostering Employment for People with Intellectual Disability: the Evidence to Date
    Fostering employment for people with intellectual disability: the evidence to date Erin Wilson and Robert Campain August 2020 This document has been prepared by the Centre for Social Impact Swinburne for Inclusion Australia as part of the ‘Employment First’ project, funded by the National Disability Insurance Agency. ‘ About this report This report presents a set of ‘evidence pieces’ commissioned by Inclusion Australia to inform the creation of a website developed by Inclusion Australia as part of the ‘Employment First’ (E1) project. Suggested citation Wilson, E. & Campain, R. (2020). Fostering employment for people with intellectual disability: the evidence to date, Hawthorn, Centre for Social Impact, Swinburne University of Technology. Research team The research project was undertaken by the Centre for Social Impact, Swinburne University of Technology, under the leadership of Professor Erin Wilson together with Dr Robert Campain. The research team would like to acknowledge the contributions of Ms Jenny Crosbie, Dr Joanne Qian, Ms Aurora Elmes, Dr Andrew Joyce and Mr James Kelly (of the Centre for Social Impact) and Dr Kevin Murfitt (Deakin University) who have collaborated in the sharing of information and analysis regarding a range of research related to the employment of people with a disability. Page 2 ‘ Contents Background 5 About the research design 6 Structure of this report 7 Synthesis: How can employment of people with intellectual disability be fostered? 8 Evidence piece 1: Factors positively influencing the employment of people
    [Show full text]
  • Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD) an Update on Prevention in Australia Prof Robert Booy, NCIRS
    Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD) An update on prevention in Australia Prof Robert Booy, NCIRS Declaration of interests: RB consults to vaccine companies but does not accept personal payment Invasive Meningococcal Disease Caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis1 • Meningococci are classified into serogroups that are determined by the components of the polysaccharide capsule1 • Globally, 6 serogroups most commonly cause disease2 A B C W X Y • In Australia, three serogroups cause the majority of IMD3 B W Y Cross-section of N. meningitidis bacterial cell wall (adapted from Rosenstein et al)4 1. Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). The Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th Edition (2018 update) . Canberra: Australian Government Department of Health, 2018 [Accessed September 2018] 2. Meningococcal meningitis factsheet No 141. World Health Organization website. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs141/en/ [Accessed February 2017] 3. Lahra and Enriquez. Commun Dis Intell 2016; 40 (4):E503-E511 4. Rosenstein NE, et al. N Engl J Med. 2001; 344:1378-1388 Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in Australia • Overall, the national incidence of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in Australia is low • From 2003 to 2013, there was a large decrease in the number AUS notifications: 99% drop in Men C! - after the introduction of 2003 meningococcal C (Men C) dose at 12 months to National Immunisation Program (NIP) – catch-up vacc’n 2-19 year olds (herd immunity <1 & >20yrs) • & reduced smoking +improved SES: 55% drop in Men B! Without a vaccine program • However, in recent years the rate of IMD has increased: 2017 had the highest rate in 10 years • Men W and Y now important in older adults Notifications of invasive meningococcal disease, Australia, 1992- 2017, by year, all serogroups 2013-2017: 4 yrs 3rd Age peak 60-64 yrs W and Y 2017:2018: 383281 cases Highest2019: number? fewer of cases since 2006 Nat’l Men C program from 2003 Adapted from National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System1 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Urgent Factsheet
    Background This factsheet provides an overview of the influence of climate change on extreme rainfall and flooding. As the heavy downpours and thunderstorms begin to hit Victoria and Australia’s southeast, some of Victoria’s most intense rainfall in decades is expected to fall over the next two to three days. Across the northern and central regions of the state, 100- 200 mm is expected over three days, while rain totals may reach 250mm+ in the northeast ranges. Some parts are expected to receive more than 50 mm of rain in one hour. As a result, dangerous and widespread flash flooding is expected across Victoria. Key points 1. Climate change is influencing all extreme rainfall events. The warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, about 7% more than previously. This increases the risk of heavier downpours. 2. Globally, there are more areas with significant increases in heavy rainfall events than with decreases. 3. Extreme rainfall events like the Victoria rains are expected to further increase in intensity across most of Australia. 4. While there isn't a significant trend in observed extreme rainfall in Victoria yet, maximum one-day rainfall is projected to increase by 2-23% in Victoria by the end of the century if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise. 5. It is critical that communities and emergency services have access to information about rainfall in a changing climate to ensure they can prepare for the future. The influence of climate change on extreme rainfall The heavy downpours across southeast Australia are yet another reminder of how extreme weather events place lives, property and critical infrastructure at risk.
    [Show full text]
  • Cranking up the Intensity: Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events
    CRANKING UP THE INTENSITY: CLIMATE CHANGE AND EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS CLIMATECOUNCIL.ORG.AU Thank you for supporting the Climate Council. The Climate Council is an independent, crowd-funded organisation providing quality information on climate change to the Australian public. Published by the Climate Council of Australia Limited ISBN: 978-1-925573-14-5 (print) 978-1-925573-15-2 (web) © Climate Council of Australia Ltd 2017 This work is copyright the Climate Council of Australia Ltd. All material Professor Will Steffen contained in this work is copyright the Climate Council of Australia Ltd Climate Councillor except where a third party source is indicated. Climate Council of Australia Ltd copyright material is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia License. To view a copy of this license visit http://creativecommons.org.au. You are free to copy, communicate and adapt the Climate Council of Australia Ltd copyright material so long as you attribute the Climate Council of Australia Ltd and the authors in the following manner: Cranking up the Intensity: Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events by Prof. Lesley Hughes Professor Will Steffen, Professor Lesley Hughes, Dr David Alexander and Dr Climate Councillor Martin Rice. The authors would like to acknowledge Prof. David Bowman (University of Tasmania), Dr. Kathleen McInnes (CSIRO) and Dr. Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick (University of New South Wales) for kindly reviewing sections of this report. We would also like to thank Sally MacDonald, Kylie Malone and Dylan Pursche for their assistance in preparing the report. Dr David Alexander Researcher, — Climate Council Image credit: Cover Photo “All of this sand belongs on the beach to the right” by Flickr user Rob and Stephanie Levy licensed under CC BY 2.0.
    [Show full text]
  • Vehicle-Related Flood Fatalities in Australia, 2001–2017
    University of Wollongong Research Online Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health 1-1-2020 Vehicle-related flood fatalities in ustrA alia, 2001–2017 Mozumdar Ahmed Katharine A. Haynes University of Wollongong, [email protected] Mel Taylor Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.uow.edu.au/smhpapers1 Publication Details Citation Ahmed, M., Haynes, K. A., & Taylor, M. (2020). Vehicle-related flood fatalities in ustrA alia, 2001–2017. Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: Part B. Retrieved from https://ro.uow.edu.au/ smhpapers1/1326 Research Online is the open access institutional repository for the University of Wollongong. For further information contact the UOW Library: [email protected] Vehicle-related flood fatalities in ustrA alia, 2001–2017 Abstract © 2020 The Authors. Journal of Flood Risk Management published by Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This study analyses the circumstances of vehicle-related flood fatalities between 2001 and 2017, in Australia. The research identified 96 deaths from 74 incidents during this period. The aim of this analysis is to understand the demographic, spatial and temporal patterns, and the situational conditions in which those (n = 96) deaths have occurred. This is important for informing efficient and strategic risk reduction strategies to reduce vehicle related deaths and injuries in floodwater. Data were accessed from the Australian National Coronial Information System (NCIS), which includes witness and police statements, forensic documents, and detailed coronial findings. Analysis was conducted in two phases. In phase one, data were coded and categorised according to a range of factors previously identified as significant inehicle-r v elated flood fatalities internationally.
    [Show full text]
  • Monitoring Hepatitis C Treatment Uptake in Australia
    Monitoring hepatitis C treatment uptake in Australia Issue #8 December 20171 An estimated 43,360 individuals initiated direct acting Initiations of new antiviral (DAA) treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection through Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) between March 2016 and June 2017, equating to 19% of treatment for the people living with chronic HCV infection in Australia. Of individuals initiating DAA treatment in this period, 66% chronic hepatitis were men, 54% were >50 years old, and 27% had cirrhosis. The most commonly prescribed regimen was sofosbuvir/ ledipasvir for 53%, followed by sofosbuvir+daclatasvir C from March for 39%. Of individuals initiated on sofosbuvir/ledipasvir, 16% were prescribed an 8-week course, 75% a 12-week course, and 10% a 24-week course. Of individuals initiated 2016 to June on sofosbuvir+daclatasvir, 67% were prescribed a 12-week course, and 33% a 24-week course. Overall, 57% of individuals 2017 were prescribed DAA treatment by specialists (46% by gastroenterologist, 7% by infectious diseases physicians, and 4% by other specialist), while 22% of individuals were prescribed DAA treatment by general practitioners (GPs). The proportion of individuals prescribed DAA treatment by GPs increased from 8% in March 2016 to 39% in June 2017. Of individuals initiated on 8 weeks sofosbuvir/ledipasvir, 40% were prescribed treatment by specialists while 60% were prescribed treatment by non-specialists (34% by GPs). Of individuals prescribed on 24 weeks sofosbuvir/ledipasvir or 24 weeks sofosbuvir+daclatasvir, 69% were prescribed treatment by specialists while 31% were prescribed treatment by non-specialists (10% by GPs). 1. The Kirby Institute.
    [Show full text]
  • Weather Gone Wild: Climate Change- Fuelled Extreme Weather in 2018
    WEATHER GONE WILD: CLIMATE CHANGE- FUELLED EXTREME WEATHER IN 2018 CLIMATECOUNCIL.ORG.AU Thank you for supporting the Climate Council. The Climate Council is an independent, crowd-funded organisation providing quality information on climate change to the Australian public. Published by the Climate Council of Australia Limited ISBN: 978-1-925573-84-8 (print) 978-1-925573-85-5 (digital) © Climate Council of Australia Ltd 2019 Professor Will Steffen Climate Councillor This work is copyright the Climate Council of Australia Ltd. All material contained in this work is copyright the Climate Council of Australia Ltd except where a third party source is indicated. Climate Council of Australia Ltd copyright material is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia License. To view a copy of this license visit http://creativecommons.org.au. You are free to copy, communicate and adapt the Climate Council of Australia Ltd copyright material so long as you attribute the Climate Council Dr Annika Dean of Australia Ltd and the authors in the following manner: Senior Researcher Weather Gone Wild: Climate change-fuelled extreme weather in 2018. Authors: Will Steffen, Annika Dean and Martin Rice. — Cover image: “Evacuation again. Tathra Bushfire 4.21 PM” by Jack Eastlake. Dr Martin Rice Reproduced with permission. Head of Research This report is printed on 100% recycled paper. facebook.com/climatecouncil [email protected] twitter.com/climatecouncil climatecouncil.org.au CLIMATE COUNCIL I Contents Key Findings ....................................................................................................................................................................................ii
    [Show full text]
  • Review of the 2017 Influenza Season in Australia and What to Expect in 2018
    Review of the 2017 influenza season in Australia and what to expect in 2018 Ian Barr Deputy Director WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza www.influenzacentre.org The Melbourne WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health How was the 2017 SH influenza season for you? • Normal season – nothing much different from any other • Low season – similar to 2010 • Medium season – similar to 2011, 2013 • Big season – similar to 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 • Massive season – Once in every decade or two = 2009! 2017 Australian Influenza season • A big “Influenza” season by most accounts – NNDSS Lab confirmed influenza data – Highest “interseasonal” influenza activity (Jan-Mar) on record (again) – More than double the previous highest no. of lab confirmed cases recorded 249,774 (cf: 2015:100,597) – Slightly early start to main season with increased cases reported by NNDSS in early-June, slight delay in peak (Wk 36 w/e Sept 8) baseline Dec. – ASPREN-VIDRL ILI figures showed highest levels in 5 years – Extremely high level of press coverage throughout season • Characteristics of season – Australia mainly A(H3N2), followed by B’s and A(H1N1)pdm09 – FluCan data; 3969 admissions; double 2016 (1860); cases admitted directly to ICU 8.9% in 2017 (10%:2016, 8.7%:2015, 14.3%:2013; 14% kids, 33% adults, 52% >65y – Deaths; 598 (2016: 92) influenza associated (to 27 Oct) – Paediatric hospitalizations – 68 (2016:21); 51 flu A, 16 Flu B, 1 death August 14 August
    [Show full text]
  • Achieving Net Negative Emissions in a Productive Agricultural Sector
    Achieving net negative emissions in a productive agricultural sector A review of options for the Australian agricultural sector to contribute to the net-zero economy March 2020 Rachelle Meyer, Natalie Doran-Browne, Kate Dooley, and Richard Eckard Achieving net negative emissions in a productive agricultural sector Meyer et al. Executive summary Some Australian agricultural groups have goals to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net-zero by 2030. These goals are key for Australia to be consistent with the Paris Agreement and the Agreement’s target of net-zero emissions by the second half of the century. Negative emissions provided by the land sectors are common components of pathways that restrict warming to 1.5 - 2 °C. To achieve these goals, emissions need to be reduced to levels that can be offset by land sinks. This will be challenging to achieve while increasing production to meet growing demand and as climate change impacts become more evident. Direct agricultural emissions comprised 13.7% (73 Mt CO2eq) of Australia’s emissions in 2017. In addition, deforestation contributed 26 Mt CO2eq, with about 75% due to land clearing for agriculture. Combined, this is a total of 93 Mt CO2eq attributable to agricultural activities. Including upstream emissions from electricity adds 8 Mt CO2eq, for a total of 101 Mt CO2eq agriculture-related emissions or 19% of national emissions. The contribution of different agricultural sectors to total GHG emissions varies with the amount of production and the amount of emissions per unit product, or emissions intensity (EI). The red meat sector, with high production and high EI, emits the most with an estimated 68.6 Mt CO2eq emitted in 2015, including land use change.
    [Show full text]
  • The Future of Precision Medicine in Australia
    THE FUTURE OF PRECISION MEDICINE IN AUSTRALIA HORIZON SCANNING i EXPERT WORKING GROUP Professor Robert Williamson AO FRS FAA FAHMS (Chair) Professor Warwick Anderson FAHA FASSA FAHMS Dr Stephen Duckett FASSA FAHMS Professor Ian Frazer AC FRS FAA FTSE FAHMS Dr Carrie Hillyard FTSE Professor Emma Kowal Professor John Mattick AO FAA FRSN FAHMS Professor Catriona McLean FAHMS Professor Kathryn North AM FAHMS Mr Adrian Turner © Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA) ISBN 978-0-9943738-7-8 (print) ISBN 978-0-9943738-8-5 (digital) This work is copyright. All material published or otherwise created by the Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA) is licensed under a Creative Commons – Attribution-Non- Commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) licence. DATE OF PUBLICATION January 2018 PUBLISHER Australian Council of Learned Academies Level 1, 1 Bowen Crescent Melbourne Victoria 3004 Australia Telephone: +61 (0)3 9864 0923 www.acola.org.au SUGGESTED CITATION Williamson, R., Anderson, W., Duckett, SJ., Frazer, IH., Hillyard, C., Kowal, E., Mattick, JS., McLean CA., North, KN., Turner, A., Addison, C., (2018). The Future of Precision Medicine in Australia. Report for the Australian Council of Learned Academies, www.acola.org.au. REPORT DESIGN Lyrebird [email protected] AUTHORS Professor Robert Williamson AO FRS FAA FAHMS (Chair) Professor Warwick Anderson FAHA FASSA FAHMS Dr Stephen Duckett FASSA FAHMS Professor Ian Frazer AC FRS FAA FTSE FAHMS Dr Carrie Hillyard FTSE Professor Emma Kowal Professor John Mattick AO FAA FRSN FAHMS Professor Catriona McLean FAHMS Professor Kathryn North AM FAHMS Mr Adrian Turner Supported by Dr Courtney Addison and the contributions of many experts throughout Australia and New Zealand as acknowledged throughout the report.
    [Show full text]
  • Geopolitical Trends in the South Pacific: No
    ISPSW Strategy Series: Focus on Defense and International Security Issue Geopolitical Trends in the South Pacific: No. 554 Is the US or China Winning? Dr. Anne-Marie Schleich June 2018 Geopolitical Trends in the South Pacific: Is the US or China Winning? Dr. Anne-Marie Schleich June 2018 Abstract Recent world attention has focused on the strategic geopolitical developments in the South China Sea and the Korean Peninsula. However, with China’s growing assertiveness, a geopolitical tug of war between two powers, the United States and China, is also happening on the fringe of that region, Oceania. The recent policies of the Trump Administration, among them the US withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and from the agreement with Iran, JCPOA, its vacillating North Korean policy and US threats to impose tariff barriers, as well as its skepticism about old alliances, all seem to have cast a question mark over its continued commitment to Oceania. This paper focuses on the South Pacific middle power, Australia, and on New Zealand and the South Pacific Island countries. The author analyzes some of the changing patterns of the military-strategic and economic engagements of China and the United States with Oceania. Australia and New Zealand are trying to carefully navigate a diplomatic path between the US and China. For a century Australia and New Zealand have, since their independence, been the regional powers in the South Pacific. The present conservative Australian government continues to be strongly allied politically and militarily with the US but also looks for additional partners such as its development and strategic ASEAN partners and its old Quad partners Japan, India and South Korea.
    [Show full text]