Australia's deep past and its modern history are intrinsically linked to the Pacific. This book examines Australia's relationship with the Pacific region; from our ties with Papua New Guinea and New Zealand to our complex connections with China, Japan, and the United States.

As the many nations of the Pacific deal with the threat of climate change, including rising sea levels and lessening access to fresh water, they are also suffering from some of the slowest rates of development of any region on earth. In Tides that Bind: Australia in the Pacific, ALP Deputy Leader Richard Marles implores Australia to step up our support for and commit to building better relationships with the Pacific, assisting their development and securing peace in the region.

Australia is much larger and has significantly more military and economic power than its Pacific Island neighbours. As a result, it is frequently described as having a natural right to lead in the region. Yet, Australia has found it difficult to effectively influence Pacific Island states in pursuit of its strategic interests. This text provides the definitive account of how, and how effectively, Australia has sought to influence Pacific Island states in pursuit of its strategic interests since 1975.

This book is the first to draw extensively on the recently released highly classified notes of the cabinet room discussions of successive Australian Governments from 1950 to the mid-1970s and details the changing attitude of the nations leaders towards the place of Papua New Guinea in Australias defence and security outlook.

The book explores the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea on the journey to independence. Denoon examines the complexities of this relationship and the decolonisation process - given the intertwined history, geography and economies of the two neighbours.