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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has embarked on a pivotal journey to Jakarta, where he is set to meet with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. The agenda includes the signing of a groundbreaking security treaty, which Albanese has heralded as a “watershed” moment in international relations.
In a collaborative declaration, Prime Minister Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasized that this agreement would elevate the collaboration between Australia and Indonesia to unprecedented heights, enhancing the security landscape not only for both nations but also for the broader region.
“This new treaty marks a significant milestone in the Australia–Indonesia relationship,” Albanese asserted. “It signifies a substantial expansion of our security and defense collaboration, underscoring the robustness of our bilateral ties.”
Despite the fanfare, the comprehensive details of the Australia-Indonesia Treaty on Common Security, initially announced last November, remain undisclosed to the public.
Tim Lindsey, a distinguished authority on Indonesian law from Melbourne University, has commended the increasing diplomatic engagements with Indonesia, viewing them as a positive development in regional relations.
But he warned greater ties with Australia’s “northern shield” would not make the relationship easier for Canberra.
“Indonesia’s slide away from liberal democracy and towards authoritarianism presents new challenges for an Australian government which must interact with Indonesia,” Lindsey told AAP.
A draft law put forward by the Indonesian government against disinformation and foreign propaganda could lead to a crackdown on civil society groups.
This could lead to a scenario where Indonesians in Australia are targeted, Lindsey said.
‘A proud moment’
Wong is joining Albanese on the trip and will meet with her Indonesian counterpart Sugiono during the visit.
Indonesia has long upheld a foreign policy of non-alignment to avoid being entangled in conflicts.
Albanese’s trip will be his fifth as prime minister, and second since his re-election in 2025, when he opted to make Indonesia the first country he visited after retaining office.
“This treaty is a proud moment in the shared history of Australia and Indonesia,” the prime minister told parliament ahead of his departure on Thursday.
“It will ensure that we work together to shape a better future, securing our shared place in the world, so that we can secure the best outcome for those we serve here at home.”
Australian Strategic Policy Institute senior analyst Gatra Priyandita said the agreement could be seen as a positive step in the context of the broader bilateral relationship.
“There is going to be no element concerning mutual commitment to each other’s security,” he said.
Priyandita said Indonesia remained “very allergic” to the idea of defence alliances to preserve its non-alignment policy.
President Prabowo is facing domestic criticism over the perceived deviation from that norm.
Wong said the step marked the most important in strengthening the partnership in 30 years.
“In these uncertain times, this is a demonstration of the importance we place on our relationship and the respect we have for each other,” she said.
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