For years, the idea of Australia joining ASEAN has been circulated within some circles, with varying degrees of seriousness and oftentimes without due regard for how the idea would actually match up with political realities.

Though the idea remains unlikely to take off anytime soon for various reasons, the larger point is that it remains unclear what it would actually achieve for Australia in the first place.

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The prospect of Australia joining ASEAN was pushed before the re-election of the Morrison government, a foreign policy initiative which will gain momentum, but analysts are warning the prime minister should think twice.

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