Australian foreign policy Characteristics of Australia Embed Question Which of the following characteristics would you agree describe Australia and our place in the world? This question was asked in 2005. 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% A good international citizen 82 16 Important in Asia 82 16 Well-placed to succeed in a competitive world 79 18 Vulnerable to external threats 76 22 A follower not a leader 66 32 An influential middle-sized power 63 34 Self-interested 62 35 Assertive in foreign affairs 61 35 Frightened of offending our neighbours 56 42 Independent minded 49 48 Unimportant in global politics 38 61