Australia’s Indian Ocean Territories of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands are strategically important to Australia, particularly in relation to Australia’s defence and border protection interests.
The Committee’s inquiry considered the current and future geopolitical environment in the Indian Ocean region. Witnesses highlighted areas of cooperation between Australia and its partners in the region and how the Indian Ocean Territories could enhance Australia’s defence and civilian relationships with strategic partners, ensuring regional security. Evidence also focussed on the development of both defence and multi-purpose infrastructure development in the islands to maintain Australia’s defence capability and to provide economic and social benefits for local residents.
The Committee’s recommendations seek to enhance Australia’s engagement with its Indian Ocean Territories and the broader region. The Committee recommended that Australia strengthen multilateral engagement with its Indo-Pacific partners through existing regional mechanisms and through increased defence activities in the Indian Ocean Territories. The Committee noted the receptiveness of local communities to enhanced defence engagement and recommended that the Australian Government further pursue this area, while considering how such activities could provide more local engagement.
One of the key concerns highlighted to the Committee by local residents was the redevelopment of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands airport runway and associated facilities. The Committee recommends that extensive community consultation be undertaken to ensure that a variety of concerns are carefully assessed and considered to reduce community impacts.
Another major concern was the impact of the occasional inoperability of infrastructure at the Christmas Island wharf. While the Committee acknowledges that some solutions were presented during the course of the inquiry, there is nevertheless scope to consult further and develop genuine medium and long term solutions.
The Committee also recommended that in further developing infrastructure, planning and funding proposals within the islands, that the Australian Government ensure that appropriate consultation is undertaken and that the local supply chain is drawn upon, where possible, to further these initiatives. The need to engage constructively applies equally to Australian Government agencies wishing to do work in the territories and they should do so in a spirit of genuine partnership with local communities and residents.
In supporting these recommendations, ensuring Australia’s strategic engagement in the region responds to changing dynamics, and continuing meaningful dialogue with of local communities, the Committee has recommended that the Australian Government refer an inquiry into the Indian Ocean Territories to the Joint Standing Committee of the National Capital and External Territories every five years.