A pragmatic partner: Australia and the ADMM-plus

This essay argues that three factors explain Australias enthusiastic embrace of the ADMM-Plus and of Asian multilateralism more generally. First, Australia has long displayed an almost visceral fear of being excluded from these groupings and of its marginalization from Asia as a consequence. Second, Canberra is interested in such groupings when they deliver practical benefitsespecially in the areas of conflict management and avoidancereflecting Australias pragmatic political culture. Third, the ability of multilateral groupings to facilitate Australian engagement with this regions major powers exhibits particular appeal. The essay goes on to highlight shortcomings of the ADMM-Plus from Canberras perspective, namely in terms of the groupings inability to meaningfully constrain major-power dominance and maintain the international rules-based order. So long as the ADMM-Plus continues to deliver tangible benefits in the other three areas outlined above, however, these perceived shortcomings are unlikely to prove decisive.