Lowerlobe you are right, it is better sometimes to work with someone than to go head to head. The EU and US actually have legislated systems where they go around the world looking at country's aviation safety and security systems and then if they are not up to scratch, ban them. The Australian approach is to work with those countries that make these lists if it is in Australian interests.
Rightly or wrongly, this is Australia's role as a middle power. Australia is the nice guy. Being the nice guy has it's benefits and disadvantages, just like the EU and US approach.