Rashda Rana SC of 39 Essex Chambers in London says that Australia has little chance of rivaling the flourishing Singapore hub unless the federal government starts giving it significant financial support. Singapore, supported by its government,  has become the 'go to' venue for international arbitration in the Asia-Pacific, says the barrister who has, according to her chambers website, practiced in 'various states in Australia (primarily in NSW) and in South East Asia, including Malaysia, Singapore, HK and Seoul'. 

Singapore and India

The President of ArbitralWomen, she says: 'Australia has tried very hard to promote itself as the hub, but it just hasn't taken off....One of the reasons I hear over and over again is [that] Australia is too far. It is just another hurdle, another step on an airplane.' By contrast, Singapore is convenient even for India and parts of Eastern Europe. Source: Lawyers Weekly