Asia Rising

Australia has made refugee and asylum seeker issues a cornerstone of their political debate and excessive lengths have been taken to prevent asylum seekers from reaching Australia by boat. Julian Burnside (Barrister and human rights advocate) speaks to host Matt Smith about Australia's perceived asylum seeker problem and how there might be a better solution. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

The population of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands have emigrated far, from Indonesia to Western Australia, but have maintained a strong community and bartered goods through the use of Facebook. In this episode of Asia Rising, Dr Nicholas Herriman (Anthropology, La Trobe University) speaks to host Matt Smith about the Cocos (Keeling) Island community and gift-giving. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

A number of high profile incidents have highlighted the contested territory of the South China Seas, most provocatively China's significant land reclamation and construction activties. In this episode of Asia Rising, Linda Jakobson (Founding Director of China Matters) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) about China's controversial activities in the east and south china seas. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

After the first year of government Narendra Modi has been presented with a number of challenges, both from within his own party and on a national and international stage. In this episode of Asia Rising, Dr Ian Hall (School of Government and International Relations, Griffith University) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) about Modi's first year as Prime Minister of India. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

After years of civil unrest, will Nepal's struggling democracy survive the recent earthquake? In this episode of Asia Rising, Dr Jasmine-Kim Westendorf (International Relations, La Trobe University) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) about Nepal's long road to democracy and future challenges. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

When Joko Widido won the 2014 Indonesian election with a significant popular mandate there was high expectations of the change he would bring to the office. In this episode of Asia Rising, Dr David McCrae Asia Institute, University of Melbourne) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) about the effectiveness and difficulties facing Widodo's government. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

The imminent execution of two Australians by Indonesia due to drug related offenses has put a strain on relationships between the two countries, and presents challenges for the leadership of both Joko Widodo and Tony Abbott. In this episode of Asia Rising, Dr David McCrae Asia Institute, University of Melbourne) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) about the diplomatic tensions of capital punishment. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

Regional authorities outlawed Islamic veils from all public spaces in the regional capital of China’s Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region. Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) speaks to Dr James Leibold (Senior Lecturer, Chinese Politics and Asian Studies, La Trobe University) about the provocation and likelihood of this ban succeeding. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

How did Japan’s recent election play out for Shinzo Abe, and what can Japan expect from his next term? Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia) and Assistant Professor Christopher Hobson (School of Political Science and Economics, Waseda University) discuss Japanese politics and the Fukushima disaster. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

A look at the big events in Asia in the year 2014 - the elections of Modi in India and Jokowai in Indonesia, to the military coup of Thailand, the popular protests in Hong Kong, the tension in the East China Sea and the dominance of the Chinese economy. Copyright 2014 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

With Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi proving to be a big hit in Australia during the G20, Professor Nick Bisley (Excutive Director, La Trobe Asia) and Dr Ian Hall (Department of International Relations, ANU) take a look at his relationship with Australia and the impact he's making on the world stage. Copyright 2014 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

Hong Kong is currently experiencing protests caused by public disagreements over changes to how the Chief Executive of Hong Kong will be selected. In this episode of Asia Rising, Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) speaks to Dr James Leibold (Senior Lecturer, Chinese Politics and Asian Studies, La Trobe University) look at the development of the popular protests in Hong Kong and how they might play out.

During his first year of office, Prime Minister Tony Abbott has conducted a surprisingly energetic and focused foreign policy. He's visited a number of countries in the Asian region and furthered Australia's interests by signing fair trade agreements with Japan and South Korea, as well as making progress in relationships with both China and India. In this episode of Asia Rising, Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) speaks to host Matt Smith about Abbott's interactions with Asia in his first year of office.

Japan has had a re-energised approach to the global stage under the leadership of Prime Minister Shinzō Abe, so how has this altered its relationship with its neighbours and the power balance in the region? Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director of La Trobe Asia) and Dr David Envall (Convenor, Department of International Relations, Australian National University) discuss Japan’s increasing active engagement with foreign powers and the challenges facing Shinzō Abe.

On the 22nd May 2014 the Royal Thai Armed forces led by General Prayuth Chan-ocha launched a coup against the democratically elected government government, dissolved the senate and stabled a Junta to govern the nation. Since that time there's been a clampdown on freedom of speech and expression, there's a curfew in place, and while a return to democracy is promised there's uncertainty as to when this will happen. Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director of La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) discusses the Thai political system, and the challenges of restoring democracy.

Narendra Modi won a landslide victory with the BJP in the 2014 Indian election, but what kind of government will India have, and how will it play out on the global stage? Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director of La Trobe Asia) and Dr Ian Woolford (Head of Hindi and South Asian Studies, La Trobe University) present a wrap-up of the Indian election.

A recent report on human rights violations in North Korea outlined a well-known but persistent problem, but there is little indication as to how it can be used beyond a catalog of evidence. Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director of La Trobe Asia) and Dr Benjamin Habib (Politics and International Relations, La Trobe University) present an update on North Korea, looking at human rights issues and ecent weapon developments and missile testing.