Richard Broinowski interviewed by Sara Dowse [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 3562909
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Broinowski, Richard P, interviewee
- Access Conditions:
- Access open for research, personal copies and public use.
- Description:
-
- 2005 Aug. 18
- 4 digital audio tapes (ca. 257 min.)
- Summary:
-
Richard Broinowski, born 1940 in Melbourne, talks about his family background, including his paternal grandfather, Robert who is the subject of the biography A Witness to History; his education; his parents' deaths; his cadetship in the Department of External Affairs; his move to Canberra and marriage to Alison in 1962; his first posting to Japan in 1964; the influence of Robert Menzies; spending two years in Canberra before receiving another posting to Rangoon for two years; his next posting to Tehran in 1972-3; Iran under the Shah; returning to Canberra, and running the North Africa-Middle East desk; welcome changes in the Department under Alan Renouf leading to Alison rejoining the Department; their first and only joint posting, to Manila in 1975 as Second Secretary (Alison) and Councillor (Richard); the Marcoses; Malcolm Fraser as prime minister and his influence on foreign policy; Broinowski's master's degree at Harvard; the ousting of Marcos in the Philippines; his Harvard experience.
Broinowski discusses the family's return to Canberra; running the Japan Secretariat in 1979; problems in Australia-Japan relations in the 1970s; his first ambassadorship to Vietnam from 1983-1985; being separated from Alison and the children because she was unable to be posted with him; appointment as ambassador to Korea in 1985; Alison's posting with the UN mission in New York; the difficulties arising from their forced separations; the 1988 Olympics; tension between the two Koreas; the nuclear issue and Australia's interest in the area as a uranium exporter; becoming the general manager of Radio Australia; the failed 'Television International' venture; his final posting to Mexico (1994-1997).
Broinowski speaks about Australia's current foreign policy; lack of appreciation of the important and often tough role diplomats play in facilitating relations with other countries and enhancing Australia's image in the world; his resignation from the public service in 1997 to become a writer and academic; his first adjunct professorship at the University of Canberra, and setting up a program for journalism students to acquire experience working on Asian newspapers; his current life; the different role of Australian diplomats today; Australia's record in human rights and attitude to the UN; the 1988 amalgamation of the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade; the value of Australia's foreign service; Australia's relationships with China and the US; bilateralism and the Free Trade Agreement with the US; Broinowski's book Cheap Shots, which traces the disintegration of Australia's domestic armaments industry as an example of our shrinking manufacturing sector; Australia's image and role internationally; Australia's defence and the nuclear issue; the book, Fact or Fission, about the nuclear industry's claim to be an acceptable alternative energy source in the light of increased public alarm over global warming.
- Biography/History:
-
Richard Broinowski, born 1940 in Melbourne, is a former senior Australian diplomat, who served in Mexico, Britain, Korea, Vietnam, Japan, the Philippines, Tehran, and Burma. After his retirement in 1997, he became an honorary professor, both at the University of Canberra and the University of Sydney. He became the National President of the Independend Scholars Association of Australia in 2005.
- Notes:
-
- Recorded on August 18, 2005 at Sydney, N.S.W.
- Digital master available National Library of Australia;
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Timed summary available.
- Subject:
-
- Broinowski, Richard P -- Interviews
- Broinowski, Richard P. Witness to history
- Broinowski, Richard P. Fact or fission
- Diplomats -- Australia -- Interviews
- Ambassadors -- Australia -- Interviews
- Scholars -- Australia -- Interviews
- Nuclear energy -- Australia
- Australia -- Foreign relations
- Australia -- Military policy
- Occupation:
- Other authors/contributors:
- Dowse, Sara, 1938-, interviewer
- Copyright:
-
In Copyright
Contact us for information about copying. For access conditions return to the record display above.
- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2075 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 2005
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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