Overview

Western Australia and the evolving regional order: Challenges and opportunities

The First Murdoch Commission is an independent international inquiry on the growing economic interdependency of Western Australia (WA), Australia and the Asian region. The Commission is an initiative of Murdoch University (Perth, Western Australia) to help develop greater understanding among nations in the Region, and to consider the common challenges and opportunities facing these nations in the coming 5 to 10 years.

The Western Australian economy has become closely entwined with the dynamic economies of the Asian region over the last decade, now contributing 46% of Australia’s merchandise exports with only 11% share of the nation’s population. It provides around half of China’s iron ore imports, is the dominant supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Japan, and by 2020 Australia will produce more LNG than any country except Qatar. The WA resources sector is thus a key driver connecting the Australian economy into the dynamic economies of the Asian region. In addition to Australian Government representation overseas, WA has for some years also operated trade and investment offices in China, Japan, Indonesia, Korea and Singapore.

The First Murdoch Commission is examining development potentials in the Region through a set of specific themes, covering economic prospects, diplomacy and governance, expertise and innovation, and resources security and sustainability. A core task of the Commission is to evaluate the importance of regional engagement in advancing growth and development, with a view to enhancing mutual benefit and long-term resilience for the Asian region including Australia and WA.

The Commission will produce a final report and recommendations with the objective of generating practical insight for policy development.

Our aims are:

To identify and examine common challenges facing Western Australia, Australia and the Region in the coming decade.
To develop recommendations that will advance economic growth and wider social development in Western Australia, Australia and the Region.
To consider how resilience and mutuality can be cultivated as the Region develops around growing economic interdependency.

Western Australia and the evolving regional order: Challenges and opportunities

Themes of Inquiry

Our Commissioners

Commission Video Media