Far from being a confident, outward-looking nation, Australia is behaving as a frightened country fearful of foreign investment in farms, infrastructure and R&D. There are even suggestions universities should seek security clearances for innocuous research.

At the same time, many Australians loudly denounce Vietnam for exercising its right to decide how many foreign visitors can enter a congested battlefield site. Some slam it for refusing to let "Little Pattie" perform at this site where she entertained Australian troops 50 years ago with hits such as "Stompie Wompie" surfer boy.