ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the core elements of Australian strategic culture by focusing on two dominant themes: first, Australia's acute sense of vulnerability and fear of regional adversaries; second, the need to depend and rely on strong allies for security. It describes the way that Australia approached the emerging nuclear age after 1945 and whether strategic culture can help us understand the policies pursued. The chapter explores the cultural context in which Australia has approached strategic issues. It focuses on one specific strategic issue: Australia's pursuit of a nuclear weapons option, which as recently released information suggests was placed on the agenda during the period from the late 1950s through to the early 1970s. The hosting of the nuclear weapons tests was thus seen as a demonstration of Australia's support for Britain and a commitment to inter-Commonwealth cooperation. With proposals for nuclear weapons transfers floundering, certain sections within Australia began to consider developing an indigenous nuclear programme.
