Anthony Albanese, Joko Widodo agree to strengthen ties during Indonesia visit

Anthony Albanese flags strengthening defence co-operation with Indonesia amid increasing strategic competition in region.

Anthony Albanese and Joko Widodo ride bamboo bicycles around the Bogor Palace grounds in Jakarta on Monday. Picture: Twitter

Anthony Albanese has flagged strengthening Australia’s defence co-operation with Indonesia and other Southeast Asian nations amid increasing strategic competition in the region between the US and China.

The Prime Minister’s commitment to an increased role for defence co-operation with its largest neighbour came as he described the recent Chinese mid-air interference with a RAAF surveillance aircraft as an act of “aggression”.

It followed his first official meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who also said a strong relationship between Indonesia and Australia would ensure peace and stability in the region.

“There are a range of areas in which we can provide assistance to strengthen that relationship,” Mr Albanese said. “Strengthening that relationship will help assist and provide a context of what is going on in the region.”

One of those areas was defence, both maritime security and aviation, he said, with ASEAN being central to stability.

“One of the reasons ASEAN is so central is that context of competition between the big powers of China and the US in the region,” he said.

“That’s why we speak of the centrality of ASEAN as part of the context of what we are dealing with.”

The Prime Minister’s remarks followed a meeting with the Indonesian President at Bogor Palace in Jakarta, where the pair exchanged their suit jackets for helmets and rode around the palace grounds on bamboo bicycles.

“The President has offered, (and) I’ll take the bike back to Australia and you will see me riding around what might be the only bamboo bike in Canberra,” Mr Albanese said. “But it was a great experience and every time I ride a bike, I will remember the friendship with President Widodo.”

Anthony Albanese and Indonesian President Joko Widodo take refreshments after their bicycle ride. Picture: Alex Ellinghausen

The Indonesian President also signalled the importance of deepening the bilateral relationship between the countries to help balance strategic competition and prevent potential conflict in the region. He told Mr Albanese that the rule of law was essential to peace and stability in Southeast Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region. “In general, I reiterated Indonesia’s consistent position that the good relation between the two nations can contribute to the peace and prosperity in the region. Therefore international laws must be followed consistently,” he said following the meeting.

“Strategic competition in the region must be well managed to avoid open conflict. The culture of peace and strategic trust needs to be strengthened continuously.

“The culture of peace and strategic trust must be strengthened.”

Mr Albanese confirmed he would attend this year’s G20 leaders’ summit in November being hosted by Indonesia, despite threatened boycotts by other member nations because of the mooted attendance of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

oko Widodo and Anthony Albanese wash their hands after a tree planting ceremony at Bogor Palace. Picture: AAP

“Today I informed President Widodo that I will attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Bali in November,” Mr Albanese said.

“I did so because the work of the G20 is critical at this time of global economic uncertainty, and it will be by working with Indonesia that we most effectively tackle the many challenges we face in navigating the post-Covid global economic recovery.

“I will work closely with President Widodo to help deliver a successful summit.

“Australia’s relationship with Indonesia is one of our most important. We’re linked not just by geography, but … by choice.

Anthony Albanese and Joko Widodo tour the palace grounds in a cart. Picture: AAP

A tree planting ceremony at Bogor Palace. Picture: Twitter

“We’ve enjoyed a long history of co-operation and friendship.

“And our relationship is ever-deepened by the strategic and economic interests we share.”

Foreign policy expert from Padjadjaran University Teuku Rezasyah said while Australia and Indonesia had different points of view and despite Indonesia’s hardened position against China with regards to Chinese incursion in the North Natuna Sea, there were some alignment on the role Australia could play in the region.

“There could be a better role that Indonesia and Australia can play where they can be the anchor in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said, suggesting the two countries could lead a confidence-building measure and change up the tone from a cold war narrative to a more peaceful one.

“When Albanese said he would attend the G20 Summit, it already shows he was willing to co-operate with Indonesia and take a different position from the US. This is significant and can offer higher credibility that Australia can take a more realistic view.”

The two leaders met for an hour behind closed doors for the annual leaders meeting where they discussed the Russian invasion of Ukraine and greater Indo-Pacific co-operation as well as greater economic and investment ties.

Mr Albanese also vowed to work on making visa approvals for Indonesian tourists and business visitors easier following long-held concerns by the Indonesian government over hurdles and long delays in approvals.

Joko Widodo and Anthony Albanese inspect the honour guard during the annual leaders’ meeting at Bogor Palace in Jakarta on Monday. Picture: Alex Ellinghausen

Mr Albanese has made deeper economic and investment engagement with Indonesia a priority of his first visit to Jakarta.

“Indonesia is on track to be one of the world’s five largest economies,” he said. “Revitalising our trade and investment relationship is a priority for my government.

“And it’s why we plan to work with Indonesia to realise the potential of the Indonesia Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Our economic ministers will meet regularly, and we will continue to secure the backing of business on both sides.

“My government will work with Australian super funds, among our largest investors, to explore investment opportunities here in Indonesia.

“And the senior Australian CEOs who are here with me will be at the vanguard of a sustained campaign by Australian government and business to seize these opportunities.”

Mr Albanese is being accompanied on his Indonesian visit by Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Trade Minister Don Farrell, Industry Minister Ed Husic and Luke Gosling, who represents Darwin.

He also led a business and trade delegation including Bluescope Steel boss Mark Vassella, Commonwealth Bank CEO Matt Comyn, Telstra CEO Andrew Penn, Fortescue Metals Group deputy chair Mark Barnaba, Thales Australia CEO Chris Jenkins and Wesfarmers boss Rob Scott.

They were joined by the Business Council of Australia CEO Jennifer Westacott and chair Warwick Smith, Sun Cable CEO David Griffin, Monash University vice-chancellor Margaret Gardner and Austrade CEO Xavier Simonet.

The two leaders agreed to advance the Australian government’s $200m climate and infrastructure partnership with Indonesia.