HISTORIC ties with Britain and the United States rank them among our best friends; so much so that we persist in labelling Australia a "Western" nation.
Like it or not, the attitude the label implies is out of step; indeed, was never otherwise.
Geographically, Australia is, and always has been, Deep South Asia.
In pursuit of fulfilment for all, we need to condition ourselves to accept a rapidly evolving geopolitical and multicultural reality while remaining true to our best friends.