Shifting demographics in Australia made the Asian immigrant votes critical to Kevin Rudd's victory in the November 24 general elections.

Australia, once considered a minor power, increasingly plays a more prominent role in the Pacific Rim. As Canberra pursues a policy of creating stability across the region, Australian troops are deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as in East Timor and the Solomon Islands. But not everyone is thrilled with Australia's new prominence.

Australia is assuming a more prominent role in Pacific Rim security affairs, increasingly deploying forces to troubled states in the region in an attempt to stabilize them. While its moves are welcomed by some of its neighbors, others are wary of Canberra's strong military and its close relationship with Washington.

Drawing on the Aceh peace process that resulted in the Helsinki agreement, this study from the East West Center investigates the possibility of a peace process to resolve the conflict over the political status of Papua vis-à-vis Indonesia. After presenting essential features of the Papua conflict, the study discusses the key actors, explores who should be brought into the peace process, what are the issues of contention, and how they may be packaged for dialogue. It also explores the possible roles of the international community.

The Convention for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) was signed on May 10, 1993 and entered into force on May 20, 1994.