Tectonic forces are edging Australia towards Asia, and so is the economy, according to a 2012 government paper called Australia in the Asian Century . A newspaper cartoon captured the real Asian strategy. A teacher tells his pupils: “Children, the Asian century is upon us. Here are some phrases you need to learn in their languages. ‘Do you have a lot of money?’; ‘Please, bring it to our casino in Barangaroo’; ‘Feel free to smoke’.”

The reality is more complex. As highlighted by recent imbroglios with Indonesia over spying and illegal refugees, and with China over its self-proclaimed air defence zone, talk of an Asian Australia is misleading.

In negotiating the financial crisis, Australia became a byword for a developed economy re-engineering itself by linking with Asia. China, Japan, India and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are its leading trading partners. Asia is the destination for 40-50 per cent of its exports, primarily mineral and agricultural products.