China, trade and Russia top priorities for Anthony Albanese in Indonesia
Anthony Albanese will seek deeper trade, economic and investment ties with Jakarta and raise China’s increasing aggression in his meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
Anthony Albanese will seek deeper trade, economic and investment ties with Jakarta and raise China’s increasing aggression in the region in his first meeting as Prime Minister with Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
Mr Albanese arrived in Indonesia on Sunday night ahead of the annual leaders meeting – the Prime Minister’s second foreign visit since the election – with the issue of China dominating Australia’s strategic and more immediate security concerns.
The Prime Minister will meet with Mr Widodo at Bogor Palace ahead of a state lunch before leading a high-level trade and economic delegation dinner including heavyweights of Australian business.
Officials confirmed the meeting on Monday with the President would have a wide-ranging agenda and cover security concerns in the region, the economic partnership, trade and investment and climate change with Indonesia, considered one of Australia’s most important bilateral relationships.
But China, and to a similar extent Russia, will remain the elephants in the room, with strategic experts claiming Mr Albanese will not be able to ignore raising both issues with the leader of the world’s third largest democracy, considering Australia and Indonesia’s shared strategic interests.
In a demonstration of the significance he has placed on the Indonesian relationship, Mr Albanese has expanded the Australian/Indonesian annual leaders meeting in his first visit to Jakarta to include a high-level business and ministerial delegation, including BlueScope Steel boss Mark Vassella, Commonwealth Bank chief executive Matt Comyn, Telstra chief executive Andrew Penn, Fortescue Metals Group deputy chairman Mark Barnaba, Thales Australia chief executive Chris Jenkins and Wesfarmers boss Rob Scott.
They will be joined by the Business Council of Australia chief executive Jennifer Westacott and chairman Warwick Smith, Sun Cable chief executive David Griffin, Monash University vice chancellor Margaret Gardner and Austrade chief executive Xavier Simonet.
Ahead of his arrival, Mr Albanese signalled Australia would attend the G20 summit in Indonesia later this year despite Vladimir Putin’s likely presence, acknowledging that leaders would feel uncomfortable sitting around the table with the Russian autocrat.
The Prime Minister welcomed the fact Ukraine’s President Zelensky had been invited to observe the meeting as well by video link.
“We respect the fact that the presidency of the G20 is so important for Indonesia and important for President Widodo,” Mr Albanese said.
“Of course it’s the case that people who respect human rights would feel uncomfortable with sitting around the table with Vladimir Putin.
“Vladimir Putin, of course, attended the G20 meeting in Australia after the downing of the airline that led to – that resulted in – the death of so many Australians and other international citizens.
“We have no time for what Vladimir Putin has done in Ukraine. We’ve made our position very, very clear on that and we’ll continue to do so.”
Mr Albanese has sought to stamp his own mark on foreign policy by saying he wanted to deepen Australia’s ties in South-East Asia. Mr Albanese has said boosting trade and investment with Indonesia will be at the top of his agenda on the two-day trip.
The Prime Minister will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Trade Minister Don Farrell, Industry Minister Ed Husic and Northern Territory MP Luke Gosling.
“We announced during the election campaign additional aid for South-East Asia,” Mr Albanese said.
“We also announced a particular envoy and other measures to assist our relations.”
Executive director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute Justin Bassi said while the discussions between Mr Albanese and President Widodo would be “overwhelmingly” positive, there were security and human rights issues that couldn’t be ignored.
“Security and human rights issues which are difficult or where there isn’t alignment should also be raised, at least in private, including Australia’s position on Papua, AUKUS, as well as responses to Russia’s war on Ukraine and China’s ongoing destabilising behaviour in the region, from unilateral actions in the South China Sea to economic coercion and human rights abuses against religious minorities,” Mr Bassi said.
“Indonesia dislikes surprises but such topics will be expected.
“Ignoring these issues would set a precedent, making such discussions only more difficult in future, and is outweighed by ensuring President Widodo and Foreign Minister Retno understand Australia will continue countering and, where necessary, calling out harmful actions against our national and region’s interests.”
Before departing Perth, Mr Albanese said his government was determined to have better relations across the Indo-Pacific region.
“That’s why you’ve seen us, very early on, have two visits from Foreign Minister Wong into the Pacific,” Mr Albanese said.
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