Anthony Albanese is heading to major trading partner Indonesia for his first overseas visit in his second term as Prime Minister and will attend the Australia-Indonesia Annual Leaders’ Meeting.
The whirlwind stop is poised to underscore Southeast Asia as the centre of the recently returned federal government’s foreign policy while navigating rising geopolitical tensions in the region.
The Prime Minister will be joined in Jakarta by Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong and Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke. Albanese and President Prabowo will discuss the close relations between Australia and Indonesia, and how the countries can deepen its partnership.
Commenting yesterday at the first ministry meeting of his second and successive term, the 48th Parliament, the PM describes how the Australian Government will navigate volatile global trade and economic conditions – starting with the whirlwind visit to Indonesia.
“Tomorrow (14 May), I will travel to Indonesia to meet with our friend the President (Prabowo Subianto) and to renew that acquaintance,” the PM says.
“We’ve received well wishes from all over the world. It is important, our engagement internationally as well. We know that international trade and economic circumstances are difficult and are turbulent, and our job is to navigate those seas whilst keeping our eye on the horizon of how do we create jobs, how do we lift living standards, how do we transition our economy with the opportunities that are there with the clean energy economy.
“No one held back, no one left behind, as we have said very clearly going forward.”
Speaking about the visit on ABC News this morning, Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong says the government is prioritising Indonesia as its first international visit during its second term to reinforce the importance of the relationship with one of Australia’s closest neighbours and strategic partners.
Wong went on to say that “no country is more important for Australia” than Indonesia.
In 2024, Australia and Indonesia celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations. At present, Indonesia ranks 11th in terms of Australia top two-way trading partners and takes 10th spot regarding Australia’s top export markets.
Meanwhile, Mining Indonesia is Asia’s largest international mining equipment exhibition and provides a professional platform for Indonesia’s mining industry to do business.
Austrade says the event, which this year is held 17-20 September, attracts industry leaders, major equipment importers, distributors, agents, and decision makers from the mining industry, providing exhibitors with the opportunity to showcase their latest products and services to potential customers and partners.
Austrade, together with state government partners, will host an Australia Pavilion to showcase Australian Mining and METS capabilities to customers from Indonesia and across Southeast Asia. The Pavilion will include space for an Australia lounge and 22 exhibition spaces for Australian companies.
In March, Mining.com.au reported that the largest ever Australian outbound investment mission by delegates earlier this year visited Indonesia to explore opportunities in the region’s biggest economy.
The mission was led by Australia’s Business Champion for Indonesia and Chancellor of Western Sydney University Professor Jennifer Westacott and centred on strengthening the Australia-Indonesia bilateral relationship and finding investment opportunities.
Delegates uncovered opportunities for investment and are actively growing a pipeline that the Southeast Asia Investment Deal Terms are developing and progressing.
Write to Adam Orlando at Mining.com.au
Images: Austrade
