Primary Research

The relationship between Australia, the Netherlands and the Netherlands East Indies during the Second World War developed under extraordinary circumstances. Before the Pacific War, Australia and the Netherlands East Indies were close geographical neighbours but had relatively limited direct political relations. Within a few years, Australia became the principal base Read more

Part 4 of a four-part series examining the rapid growth of relations between Australia and the Netherlands East Indies immediately before the Japanese invasion. In November 1941, a Netherlands East Indies Economic Mission arrived in Australia to negotiate increased trade and establish more effective purchasing arrangements. It was the last Read more

Part 3 of a four-part series examining the rapid growth of relations between Australia and the Netherlands East Indies immediately before the Japanese invasion. On 6 October 1941, members of a Netherlands East Indies Press Delegation were welcomed to Brisbane at a dinner at Lennon’s Hotel in George Street. The Read more

Part 2 of a four-part series examining the growth of relations between Australia and the Netherlands East Indies immediately before the Japanese invasion. The irst article in this seriesirst article in this series described how Australia and the Netherlands East Indies gradually moved beyond their previously limited official relationship. By Read more

By Paul Budde Australia and the Netherlands East Indies on the eve of war This four-part series examines how Australia and the Netherlands East Indies moved from limited contact towards direct diplomatic, military, public and economic cooperation immediately before the Pacific War. From distant neighbours to regional partners: Australia and Read more

This article is not directly concerned with Dutch–Australian relations. It nevertheless provides valuable background for understanding the difficult post-war transition from the Netherlands East Indies to an independent Indonesia—the wider political and economic setting in which relations between the Netherlands, Indonesia and Australia developed. The following is a summary of Read more