Aussie tourists ‘left in limbo’ over Bali sex ban

Single and partnered Aussies headed for Bali are being left in limbo about new laws banning unmarried couples from having sex with no advice on DFAT’s Smart Traveller website, it’s claimed today.

Single and partnered Australian travellers headed for the Indonesian tourist island of Bali have been left in limbo as DFAT has not updated their advice to include warnings about new local laws banning unmarried couples from having sex.

Shadow foreign affairs minister Simon Birmingham has called on the Albanese government to make sure it is across the details of Indonesia’s ban, saying the government urgently needed to proved “clear” advice on the subject.

“While aspects of these laws will seem surprising and even unacceptable to many Australians, the reality is that travellers must understand and comply with the laws of any countries they visit,” Mr Birmingham said.

“The Albanese Government should ensure that it fully understands the implications of legal changes in Indonesia so that it can provide clear and comprehensive travel advice to Australians.”

Bali is a popular destination for young schoolies. Picture: Getty

Simon Birmingham has called on the Albanese government to make sure it is across the details of Indonesia’s ban.

As of Wednesday afternoon, DFAT’s Smart Traveller website advised Australian travellers take a “high degree of caution” due to security risks and to follow the directions of local authorities if travelling near the Mount Semeru volcano.

No mention was made of the new laws, which according to some reports are due to take effect in three years, or their potential implications for unmarried Australian travellers.

According to multiple media reports, on Tuesday Indonesia’s parliament approved legislation that criminalises sex outside marriage and the cohabitation of unmarried couples.

The latest DFAT advice makes no mention of the controversial ban.

Indonesian activists hold a protest against the new criminal code outside the parliament building in Jakarta. Picture: AFP

Text of the law seen by newsagency AFP reveals that sex outside of marriage will be punished with one year in prison and illegal cohabitation will have a maximum sentence of six months imprisonment.

The new criminal code, which also applies to foreign residents and tourists, bans cohabitation before marriage, apostasy, and provides punishments for insulting the president or expressing views counter to the national ideology.

Tourists enjoy the sunset at a beach bar on Kuta beach in Seminyak, Bali.

“All have agreed to ratify the (draft changes) into law,” said politician Bambang Wuryanto, who led the parliamentary commission in charge of revising the colonial-era code. “The old code belongs to Dutch heritage … and is no longer relevant.

DFAT has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Aussie tourists ‘left in limbo’ over Bali sex ban