Hi everyone just new to the site and finding it very addictive! I would just like to know what any fellow Aussies or anyone thinks of John Howard’s new plan to create a Pacific Union. It’s a radical plan to unify all the pacific nations under the Australian Dollar, amalgamate key services and set up a multi national “squad” to fight crime and terrorism in the area.

Basically seems to be same theory as the EU but on the other side of the world. I believe there is a strong chance of this Pacific Union happening as Australia holds a lot of bargaining power with some of these smaller nations. There would be threats to with hold aid and limit trading opportunities if some nations dont comply.

I have no doubt it will happen, but not during Howard's time, and not with the AUD or even a new currency called Anzac or some such as the uniform.

Regionalization is running rampant.

New Zealand is the sticky bit in Oceania though.

Originally posted by boosai
Hi everyone just new to the site and finding it very addictive! I would just like to know what any fellow Aussies or anyone thinks of John Howard’s new plan to create a Pacific Union. It’s a radical plan to unify all the pacific nations under the Australian Dollar, amalgamate key services and set up a multi national “squad” to fight crime and terrorism in the area.

Basically seems to be same theory as the EU but on the other side of the world. I believe there is a strong chance of this Pacific Union happening as Australia holds a lot of bargaining power with some of these smaller nations. There would be threats to with hold aid and limit trading opportunities if some nations dont comply.

Sounds like Bush's plan for a new world order to me.

Sorry...I know this might sound hateful...but NO FRECKIN WAY!

Hell no...uh ah...nadda...NZ under an Aussie dollar, stuff that. I know we're Allies and all, but I'd absolutely detest being under any form of Australian control...and control of the money is a strong method of control...

For real...think some Kiwis would actually be willing to bust a few caps than have our soveriegnty controlled in any way by any other country than Britian.

I always hate to say,

"I told you so".

There would be one hell of a ruckus from lil ol NZ over that idea. I've heard of the ANZAC currency idea before though. Sounds like Howard is so impressed by Dubya that he's becoming more Dubya than the real thing.

I agree New Zealand would not be easily persuaded unless during a time of crisis. Their defence forces are not much to write home about these days.

With coutries like East Timor and the like I coundn't imagine it being to hard to introduce the Pacific Union to them.

Originally posted by boosai
I agree New Zealand would not be easily persuaded unless during a time of crisis. Their defence forces are not much to write home about these days.

...yeah...I can see your point there. Our Army, particularly the SAS, are very well trained and formidable in battle...always have been...being crazy kiwis and all But we are small...and certainly don't possess the firepower of larger armies.

That said...I would still pity any country that laid a foot on NZ soil as an invader.

Think about it...NZ is a country that has a very high percentage of people who are familiar with the bush, who know it well and who are also experienced hunters. As such...they possess scoped, high-powered, highly accurate rifles and know exactly how to use them...to stalk silently, to take the shot, make the kill and to blend back into the bush again.

NZ is a country whose terrian is mountainous and forest-ladden...many areas of dense bush and hidden valleys and the like...much of which is not accessable to vehicles, and shrouded from the air by tree canopy.

Any invader would effectively be operating on foot...and would be walking into a Snipers Nest.

I am under no illusions that NZ would successfully defend against a large country's Armed Forces...but I'm also confident the body count on their side will be high enough to make them feel pain for ever inch of our soil they took.



Peace,
ALIEN

Agreed. I would see an invasion of New Zealand similar to that of the Vietnam war. It would be gorilla warfare all the way.

What country wouldn't now use guerrilla warfare?

It's effective.

Sheesh. If any country invaded anotehr country...Guerrilla warfare would be the civilians choice for fighting.



And anyways...we wouldn't want them double-headed, sheep rooters in our union anyways ;P

What they did to our country through Ansett was terrible. Shame on you NZ.

What would the benefits be of this union anyways?

[Edited on 20-8-2003 by DaRAGE]

howard is mini bush. the lap dog.

the sooner we get rid of him the better.

personally the only thing i want the pacific to co-operate on is terrorism.

john howard just wants somewhere to send illegal boat people.

I agree with MA.....This may take affect but not in Howards time.

Just look at the GST. One PRime Minister got shot down in flames trying to use it as a campaign ploy to win the seat.

AND LOOK...

We have it.. a few years later ....wretched thing it is..

Chris

I agree with MA.....This may take affect but not in Howards time.

Just look at the GST. One PRime Minister got shot down in flames trying to use it as a campaign ploy to win the seat.

AND LOOK...

We have it.. a few years later ....wretched thing it is..

Chris

OzChris

Yes.

Oz follows NZ trends in taxation.

Many useful things (the vote for women, for one) emanate from your neighbors.

Also useless things like the All Blacks national religion, as well as GST, and fush and chups on Fridays.

Originally posted by DaRAGE

And anyways...we wouldn't want them double-headed, sheep rooters in our union anyways ;P

We don't mind the sheep bit but double-headed is going a bit far don't you think?

What would the benefits be of this union anyways?

I think it would be similar to the EU idea. It would (in theory) give us more economic and political power. But as MA pointed out, NZ as a small country has been inovative with things like womens suffrege(sp?) and the welfare state.