Australian - Indonesian relations

Australian - Indonesian relations

The Lowy Institute's latest paper (Indonesia and Australia: time for a step change) on Australian Indonesian relations describes the relationship as being "not on a firm footing" It says that although "Government-to-government ties have been strengthening " public attitudes on both sides are doing badly" and "the Australian public's trust in Indonesia is low"

Joe Collins of AWPA said "the Australian people are not suspicious of the Indonesian people but they are suspicious of the Indonesian military because of its past behavior in East Timor , Aceh and continuing abuses in West Papua. Why is West Papua the "elephant in the room" in our relationship with Indonesia? In the twenty pages of the Lowy paper West Papua is mentioned only once and a passing reference at that"

Yet, West Papua is the most likely issue to cause a major hiccup in our relationship with Indonesia. Indonesia might be a democracy but West Papuans still suffer human rights abuses and are jailed for raising their flag at peaceful rallies. A number of books on West Papua have recently been banned in Indonesia .

AWPA welcomes good relations between Indonesia and Australia but not at the expense of the West Papuan people. With the Indonesian President's visit to Australia there is a chance for the Rudd Government to discuss the human rights situation in West Papua and help improve the lives of the West Papuan people.

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