This article explores the character of domestic political support for the Australian Antarctic Territory and Australia’s involvement in the Antarctic Treaty System, using the linked frames of bifocalism and bipartisanship. After first unpacking these concepts it explores how they have shaped the extent and form of Australia’s Antarctic endeavours from the 1930s to the present day. It is argued that the analysis shows that bipartisan commitment to Australian interests in Antarctica is framed through bifocalism: first, Australian national interests are closely linked to maintenance of the Antarctic Treaty and Antarctic Treaty System, and second, presentation of these national interests is not inimical to commitments to the Antarctic Treaty and Antarctic Treaty System.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Antarctica, Australia, diplomacy, domestic politics
Research Division:	Human Society
Research Group:	Political science
Research Field:	International relations
Objective Division:	Law, Politics and Community Services
Objective Group:	International relations
Objective Field:	International relations not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Haward, M (Professor Marcus Haward)
UTAS Author:	Cooper, N (Mr Nicholas Cooper)
ID Code:	86578
Year Published:	2014
Funding Support:	Australian Research Council (DP1094742)
Web of Science® Times Cited:	6
Deposited By:	IMAS Research and Education Centre
Deposited On:	2013-09-26
Last Modified:	2018-03-19
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