Ms Denise Fisher

Ms Denise  Fisher

Position: Europa Visiting Fellow
School and/or Centres: Centre for European Studies

Email: denisemfisher@gmail.com

Location: Level 2, Room 2.18, Desk D, 146 Ellery Cres

Qualification:

Masters of Philosophy, Australian National University 2012 (France in the South Pacific: Power and Politics); Masters in International Public Policy, Johns Hopkins Washington DC 1992 (International economics, strategic studies); Diploma of Education, Canberra College now Canberra University 1974 (French, English as a Second Language); Bachelor of Arts, ANU 1970-72  (French, Psychology); Professional:  Graduate, Australian Institute of Company Directors Course 2007; various senior management training courses, DFAT.

Researcher profile: https://researchers.anu.edu.au/researchers/fisher-dm

An Australian diplomat for thirty years, served in Australian diplomatic missions as a political and economic policy analyst in Rangoon, Nairobi, New Delhi, Kuala Lumpur and Washington DC before being appointed Australian High Commissioner in Harare (1998-2001), accredited to Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Angola and Malawi; then Australian Consul-General in Noumea, New Caledonia (2001-2004). Currently Visiting Fellow, ANU Centre for European Studies, writing on France in the South Pacific. Chercheur Invité, Centre d'Études et de Recherches Internationales, Sciences Po Paris (2015).

Publications

FISHER, D. (2018)  Remembering the past and preparing the future, The Strategist, Canberra, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, 1 May.

FISHER, D. (2018) New Caledonia tensions heat up ahead of Macron’s visit, interview, Radio Australia Pacific Beat, 22 July.

FISHER, D. (2018) New Caledonia’s referendum question agreed – but further questions remain, The Strategist, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, 5 April 2018

FISHER, D. (2018) Increasing tensions in New Caledonia as countdown looms for independence vote, Interview, Pacific Beat, Radio Australia, 9 March

FISHER, D. (2018) Sensitivities flare in New Caledonia, The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 9 March.

FISHER, D. (2017) Relations avec la France, ch. for Faberon, J.-Y et Brown, P., Australie: 101 mots, Libraire Harmattan, publication imminent

FISHER, D. (2017)  “Australian perspective:  strategic cooperation with France in the South Pacific”,  in Carroll, Jacinta and Ell, Theodore (eds.) (2017), More than submarines:  New dimensions in the Australia-France strategic partnerhips,  Candberr: Australian Strategic Policy Institute, December, pp 40-45,  ISBN 978-1-925229-40-0 (ebook : pdf) ISBN 978-1-925229-39-4 (print)

FISHER, D. (2017), New Caledonia:  the future takes shape, The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, 8 December.

FISHER, D. (2017),  Foreign policy white paper 2017:  overlooking a powerful Western neighbour, The Strategist, Canberra:  Australian Strategic Policy Institute, 8 December.

FISHER, D. (2017) New Caledonia prepares for upcoming independence vote, Interview with Kerri Worthington, Radio Australia Pacific Beat, 8 November

FISHER, D. (2017) The two faces crucial to New Caledonia’s final referendum, The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, 31 October

FISHER, D. (2017) France and Australia:   a new strategic partnership in the Asia-Pacific? Policyforum, Asia and the Pacific Policy Society, Canberra: Crawford School Australian National University, 30 October.

FISHER, D. (2017) Divisions and deadlines in New Caledonia, The Strategist, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, 30 August.

FISHER, D. (2017) French parliamentary vote mainly good news for New Caledonia, The Interpreter, Lowy Institute 20 June.

FISHER, D. (2017) Slim win in New Caledonia for newly elected French leader President Macron, Interview with Linda Lopresti, ABC Radio National, 9 May.

FISHER, D. (2017), French presidential election: implications for Australia’s closest French neighbor, The Interpreter blogsite, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 9 May.

FISHER, D. (2017)  France’s Pacific Territories are watching the election too, The Interpreter blogsite, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 28 April.

FISHER, D. (2017) Australia and France to boost cooperation in the Pacific, Pacific Beat, 6 March.

FISHER, D. (2017) New Caledonia:  French election calendar stymies progress The Interpreter blogsite, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 3 February.

FISHER, D. (2016) New Caledonia prepares for the future: two steps forward, one step back The Interpreter blogsite, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 23 November.

FISHER, D. (2016) Australia’s new strategic partnership with France, The Interpreter blogsite, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 27 April.

FISHER, D. (2016) When the diplomatic tap was turned off, The Interpreter blogsite, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 25 March.

FISHER, D. (2016) Australia’s new defence white paper acknowledges France as a strategic partner, The Interpreter blogsite, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 10 March.

FISHER, D. (2016) New Caledonia:  independence or more of the same ?Interview by Amanda Vanstone, Counterpoint, ABC Radio National, 29 February, available here.

FISHER, D. (2016) New Caledonia:  slow progress on defining its future, The Interpreter blogsite, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 9 February.

FISHER, D. (2016) New Caledonia census raises thorny political questions, The Interpreter blogsite, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 8 January.

FISHER, D. (2015) ’One among many :  changing geostrategic interests and challenges for France in the South Pacific’’, Les Études du CERI, No. 216, Paris, Centre des recherches internationales, Sciences-po, December available at http://www.sciencespo.fr/ceri/sites/sciencespo.fr.ceri/files/Etude_216.pdf

FISHER, D. (2015)  France claims its place in the South Pacific, , The Interpreter blogsite, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 1 December.

FISHER, D. (2015) "Rhétorique et réalité : les collectivités de la France et leurs voisins du Pacifique sud", Journal de la Société des Océanistes, 140, 2015-1, janvier-juin.

FISHER, D. (2015)   Trouble in New Caledonia over links with China, The Interpreter blogsite, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 29 October.

FISHER, D. (2015)  French elections reverberate in New Caledonia, The Interpreter blogsite, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 8 April

FISHER, D. (2014) Hollande in New Caledonia at crucial time in French territory's history, Radio Australia interview, 18 November

FISHER, D. (2014) Reopening past grievances in New Caledonia, The Strategist blogsite, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Canberra, 28 October

FISHER, D. (2014)  "Tjibaou's Kanak: ethnic identity as New Caledonia prepares its future", State Society and Governance in Melanesia Discussion Paper 2014/4, Canberra, Australian National University, September.   

FISHER, D. (2014) New Caledonia: Australia's benevolent disregard, The Interpreter blogsite, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 19 September   

FISHER, D. (2014) Fragilities in the French Pacific: New Caledonia broaches its future, The Strategist blogsite, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Canberra, 15 August

FISHER, D. (2014) Tjibaou’s Kanak. Ethnic identity in New Caledonia past, present and future.  Public lecture, State of the Pacific Conference, Australian National University, 19 June.

FISHER, D. (2014) Elections for the future of New Caledonia, The Interpreter blogsite, Sydney, Lowy Institute, 20 May, at http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2014/05/20/Elections-for-the-future-of-New-Caledonia.aspx?COLLCC=1733922788& 

FISHER, D. (2014) Ethnic identity in New Caledonia, presentation to Ethnicity, South-East Asia and French scholarship conference, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (Malaysian National University), 24 April.

FISHER, D. (2013) New Caledonia wrestles with its future, The Interpreter blogsite, Sydney, Lowy Institute, 5 December, athttp://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2013/12/05/New-Caledonia-wrestles-with-its-Future.aspx

FISHER, D. (2013) Rhétorique et réalité : les collectivités de la France et leurs voisins du Pacifique sud, Paris : Colloque e-Toile Pacifique, 3 October.  (publication pending)

FISHER, D. (2013) France in the South Pacific: power and politics,  Australian National University e press, Canberra, at http://epress.anu.edu.au/titles/france-in-the-south-pacific

FISHER, D. (2013), France’s Pacific role an omission in Australia’s Defence White Paper, Pacific Beat, Radio Australia, 30 May, at www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacific/radio/program/pacific-beat/frances-pacific-role-an-ommission-in-australia-defence-white-paper/1138986

FISHER, D. (2013) In UN, dark shades of France's Pacific past, The Interpreter blogsite, Sydney, Lowy Institute, 29 May. http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2013/05/29/In-UN-dark-shades-of-Frances-Pacific-past.aspx

FISHER, D. (2013) Defence White Paper:  French Pacific power ignored, The Interpreter blogsite, Sydney, Lowy Institute, 21 May. http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2013/05/21/French-strategic-influence-ignored-in-our-Defence-White-Paper.aspx

FISHER, D. (2013) Wallis and Futuna election results annulled, Pacific Beat, Radio Australia, 29 January. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/wallis-and-futuna-election-results-annulled/1080120

FISHER, D. (2012) Signatories to Noumea Accord to meet next week, Pacific Beat, Radio Australia, 14 November.

FISHER, D. (2012), France: ‘in’ or ‘of’ the South Pacific region? Journal de la Société des Océanistes, 2012-2, Numéro 135, pp. 185-199.

FISHER, D. (2012), France, the EU and the South Pacific, Briefing Paper, Centre for European Studies, Australian National University, Vol 3 No 9, August at  2012-9_France-the-EU-and-the-South-Pacific.pdf

FISHER, D.(2012), La France et le Pacifique Sud:  une vue d’Australie, Conférence Fonds Pacifique 16 mars 2011, and France and the South Pacific : an Australian perspective – 16 March 2011 Revue juridique, politique et économique de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Vol. 19 No 2012/1, July pp 72-84.

FISHER, D. (2012) The Need to Remember : L’ordre et la morale (Rebellion), Film Review, Fiction and Film for French Historians, vol. 2, Issue 5, April 2012, H-France website http://h-france.net/fffh/.

FISHER, D. (2012),  France in the Pacific: Countdown for New Caledonia - Review of implementation of the Noumea Accord, Briefing Paper, Centre for European Studies, Australian National University, Vol 3 No 2, May.

FISHER, D. (2012), France in the Pacific: Countdown for New Caledonia - Options for the future, Briefing Paper, Centre for European Studies, Australian National University Vol 3 No 1, March.

FISHER, D. (2012), France, the EU and the South Pacific, Public Lecture, Centre for European Studies, Australian National University, 27 March.

FISHER, D. (2012) France, the  EU and the South Pacific, interview with Isabelle Genoux, Radio Australia, 27 March, at http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/onairhighlights/france-the-eu-and-the-south-pacific

FISHER, D. (2012) France:  “in” or “of” the South Pacific?:  An Australian perspective, lecture delivered at l’Université Aix-Marseilles, 20 January, at http://gsite.univ-provence.fr/gsite/document.php?pagendx=1787&project=lerma

FISHER, D. (2011)  "France in the South Pacific: an Australian perspective", in Neilson, Briony, and Aldrich, Robert (Eds.) French History and Civilization:  Papers from the George Rudé seminar Vol. 4, 2011, pp. 237-254.

FISHER, D. (2011) Paris talks to try to resolve New Caledonia instability, Pacific Beat, Radio Australia, 20 May.

FISHER, D. (2011) France and the South Pacific, Second Bi-Annual Fonds Pacifique lecture,  Australian National University School of Asia and the Pacific, available on podcast, ANU website, 16 March at http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/news-events/podcasts/france-pacific#.UmK1XBbzdbw

FISHER, D. (2011) Politics in New Caledonia in caretaker mode, Pacific Beat, Radio Australia, 9 March.

FISHER, D. (2011)  France may resolve French Polynesia budget woes, Pacific Beat, Radio Australia, 10 February.

FISHER, D. (2010) Supporting the Free French in New Caledonia:  First steps in Australian diplomacy, Explorations, 49, 1, December, 18-37.

FISHER, D. (2010), France in the South Pacific: of confetti, bombs and expensive dancing girls

            Seminar Presentation, ANU School of Languages, Canberra, 3 September.

FISHER, D. (2010) France in the South Pacific:  An Australian Perspective, presentation to George Rudé Conference: Histoire et Mémoire, University of Sydney, 16 July.

FISHER, D. (2010) France's mixed messages for the Pacific, The Interpreter blogsite, Sydney, Lowy Institute, 28 January at http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2010/01/28/Frances-mixed-messages-for-the-Pacific.aspx.

FISHER, D. (2009) France all but ignored in Defence White Paper, The Interpreter blogsite, Sydney, Lowy Institute, 28 May at http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2009/05/28/France-all-but-ignored-in-Defence-White-Paper.aspx

FISHER, D. (2009) New Caledonia election: reduced pro-France majority, The Interpreter blogsite, Sydney, Lowy Institute, 15 May at. http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2009/05/15/New-Caledonia-Reduced-majority-for-staying-with-France.aspx

FISHER, D. (2009) Riots in French territories will impact on Australia, Canberra Times, 23 March.

FISHER, D. (2009) Industrial strife as New Caledonia goes to the polls, The Interpreter blogsite, Sydney, Lowy Institute, 16 March at. http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2009/03/16/Industrial-strife-as-New-Caledonia-goes-to-the-polls.aspx

FISHER, D. (2008) The South Pacific in France’s Defence White Paper, The Interpreter blogsite, Sydney, Lowy Institute, 9 July at http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2008/07/09/The-South-Pacific-in-Frances-Defence-White-Paper.aspx

FISHER, D. (2008) New Caledonia:  What now after twenty years of peace? The Interpreter blogsite, Sydney, Lowy Institute, 16 June at http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2008/06/16/new-caledonia.aspx

FISHER, D. (2008) Searching for Pacific solutions, Brisbane, Courier Mail, 14 January.

FISHER, D. (2007) "Into Africa", in Dee, M. and Volk, F.  ed. Women with a Mission, Canberra:  Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

FISHER, D. (2004) Address to visiting French Minister for Research, M. François d’Aubert, Noumea, drawing on material provided by Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

FISHER, D. (2003) Interview, France-Australie, Sydney, French Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

FISHER, D. (1997) Hong Kong’s Return to PRC Sovereignty:  Implications for Australia, Access China, No 26, September 1997, p. 12-1.

France in the South Pacific, with particular focus on contemporary developments in New Caledonia and preparation for the period after the expiry of the Noumea Accord, from 2018.

i. Books and Book chapters Relations avec la France, in Faberon, J.-Y et Brown, P., Australie: 101 mots, Libraire Harmattan, 2017, publication imminent Challenges in the South Pacific, Compendium on Australia-France Relations, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, 2017, publication imminent France in the South Pacific: power and politics, Australian National University e press, Canberra, 2013. "France in the South Pacific: an Australian perspective", in Neilson, Briony, and Aldrich, Robert (Eds.) French History and Civilization: Papers from the George Rudé seminar Vol. 4, 2011, pp. 237-254. "Into Africa", in M. Dee and F. Volk (eds.), Women with a Mission, Canberra: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 2007. ii. Refereed journal articles ’One among many :  changing geostrategic interests and challenges for France in the South Pacific’’, Les Études du CERI, Paris, Centre des recherches internationales, Sciences-po, No. 216, December 2015. "Rhétorique et réalité : les collectivités de la France et leurs voisins du Pacifique sud", Journal de la Société des Océanistes, 140, 2015-1, janvier-juin 2015. "Tjibaou's Kanak: ethnic identity as New Caledonia prepares its future"  State Society and Governance in Melanesia Discussion Paper 2014/4, Canberra, Australian National University, September 2014. “France: ‘in’ or ‘of’ the South Pacific?” Journal de la Société des Océanistes, Numéro 135, December 2012. “France, the EU and the South Pacific”, Briefing Paper, Australian National University Centre for European Studies, Australian National University, Vol 3 No 9, August 2012. "France in the Pacific: Countdown for New Caledonia:  Review of implementation of the Noumea Accord", Briefing Paper, Australian National University Centre for European Studies, Vol 3 No 2 May 2012. "France in the Pacific: Countdown for New Caledonia: Options for the future", Briefing Paper, Australian National University Centre for European Studies, Vol 3 No 1 March 2012. "Supporting the Free French in New Caledonia: First Steps in Australian Diplomacy." Explorations 49, No. 1, December 2010. iii. Others (digital media, catalogue essays, reviews, etc) Divisions and deadlines in New Caledonia, The Strategist, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, 30 August 2017. Slim win in New Caledonia for newly elected French leader President Macron, Interview with Linda Lopresti, ABC Radio National, 9 May 2017. French presidential election: implications for Australia’s closest French neighbor, The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 9 May 2017. France’s Pacific Territories are watching the election too, The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 28 April 2017. Australia and France to boost cooperation in the Pacific, Pacific Beat, 6 March 2017. New Caledonia:  French election calendar stymies progress The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 3 February 2017. New Caledonia prepares for the future: two steps forward, one step back The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 23 November 2016. Australia’s new strategic partnership with France, The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 27 April 2016. When the diplomatic tap was turned off, The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 25 March 2016. Australia’s new defence white paper acknowledges France as a strategic partner, The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 10 March 2016. New Caledonia:  independence or more of the same ?Interview by Amanda Vanstone, Counterpoint, ABC Radio National, 29 February 2016. New Caledonia:  slow progress on defining its future, The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 9 February 2016. New Caledonia census raises thorny political questions, The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 8 January 2016. France claims its place in the South Pacific,  The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 1 December 2016. Trouble in New Caledonia over links with China, The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 29 October 2015. French elections reverberate in New Caledonia, The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 8 April 2015. Hollande in New Caledonia at crucial time in French territory's history,  Radio Australia interview, 18 November 2014. Reopening past grievances in New Caledonia, The Strategist, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Canberra, 28 October 2014.  New Caledonia: Australia's benevolent disregard, The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 19 September 2014.  Fragilities in the French Pacific:  New Caledonia broaches its future, The Strategist, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Canberra, 15 August 2014.    Elections for the future of New Caledonia, The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 20 May 2014.  "Ethnic identity in New Caledonia", presentation to Ethnicity, South-East Asia and French scholarship conference, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (Malaysian National University), 24 April 2014. New Caledonia wrestles with its future, The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 5 December 2013. Rhétorique et réalité:  les collectivités de la France et leurs voisins du Pacifique sud, Paris: Colloque e-Toile Pacifique, 3 October 2013. France’s Pacific role an omission in Australia’s Defence White Paper, Pacific Beat, Radio Australia, 30 May, 2013. In UN, dark shades of France's Pacific past, The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 29 May 2013. Defence White Paper:  French Pacific power ignored, The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 21 May 2013. Wallis and Futuna election results annulled, Pacific Beat, Radio Australia, 29 January 2013. Signatories to Noumea Accord to meet next week, Pacific Beat, Radio Australia, 14 November 2012. “La France et le Pacifique Sud: une vue d’Australie, Conférence Fonds Pacifique 16 mars 2011, and France and the South Pacific : an Australian perspective – 16 March 2011”  Revue juridique, politique et économique de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Vol. 19 No 2012/1, July 2012, pp 72-84. “The Need to Remember: L’ordre et la morale (Rebellion)”, Film Review, Fiction and Film for French Historians, vol. 2, Issue 5, April 2012, H-France website. “France, the EU and the South Pacific”, interview with Isabelle Genoux, Radio Australia, 27 March 2012. "Paris talks to try to resolve New Caledonia instability", Pacific Beat, Radio Australia, 20 May 2011. France and the South Pacific, Second Bi-Annual Fonds Pacifique lecture, Canberra: Australian National University School of Asia and the Pacific, 16 March 2011. "Politics in New Caledonia in caretaker mode", Pacific Beat, Radio Australia, 9 March 2011. "France may resolve French Polynesia budget woes", Pacific Beat, Radio Australia, 10 February 2011. “France in the South Pacific: of confetti, bombs and expensive dancing girls”, Seminar Presentation, ANU School of Languages, Canberra, 3 September 2010. France's Mixed Messages for the Pacific The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 29 January 2010. France all but ignored in Defence White Paper The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 28 May 2009. New Caledonia election: reduced pro France majority The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 15 May 2009. “Riots in French Territories will impact on Australia”, The Canberra Times, 23 March 2009. Industrial strife as New Caledonia goes to the polls The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 16 March 2009. The South Pacific in France's defence white paper The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 9 July 2008. New Caledonia: what now after twenty years of peace? The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, Sydney, 19 June 2008. "Searching for Pacific solutions", Brisbane, Courier Mail, 14 January 2008 Address to visiting French Minister for Research, M. François d’Aubert, Noumea, drawing on material provided by Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 2004. Interview, France-Australie, Sydney, French Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 2003. “Hong Kong’s Return to PRC Sovereignty:  Implications for Australia”, Access China, No 26, September 1997, p. 12-1.  

Writing on France in the South Pacific.

Chevalier in the French National Order of Merit, August 2011.

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