From Travellers' Tales post labelled The Ugly Australians:

Aussies hardly have the best of reputations in Asia, and the aftermath of the Schapelle Corby case is a good indication of why. Eric Ellis sent us this priceless exchange between radio host Malcolm T. Elliott and a caller. No comment is necessary:
Elliott: The judges don't even speak English, mate, they're straight out of the trees if you excuse my expression.
Caller: Don't you think that disrespects the whole of our neighbouring nation?
Elliott: I have total disrespect for our neighbouring nation my friend. Total disrespect.... Whoa, give them a banana and away they go.

That's not to excuse racism. But it exists in all sorts of places. The idea of labelling all Australians ugly based on rantings of a radio shock jock is as stupid as labelling all Chinese people racist based on the rantings of a few online netizens. Should we be labelling them "The Ugly Chinese" and use an isolated example to tar a whole nation?

But wait, there's more.

Should we delve into Australia's extensive, massive and generous aid contributions to Indonesia after the tsunami? Should we look into Australia's principled intervention in East Timor? It's assistance to Papua New Guinea? It's support of a crumbling Solomon Islands?

The conventional wisdom has long held Australia to an impossible standard in Asia. Some (Dr. Mahatir) have made a political career based on Australia-bashing. While I have my opinions on the Corby case, I cannot see why popular opinion in Australia on the case has any bearing on Australia's reputation in Asia. The only way is because Australia is expected to be fawning of Asia, perfectly forgiving and without opinion, happy to kowtow to whichever Government is trying to bully its way.

Here's an idea: start looking at Australia as an example of a successful and confident multicultural liberal market democracy rather than a pariah. And stop relying on conventional wisdom.