“I brought one,” Albanese joked, referring to Husic’s presence on the trip, provoking another round of applause.
A day earlier, Husic had a warm exchange at Bogor Palace with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, also known as Jokowi.
A new kind of diplomacy
Foreign Minister Penny Wong meets with local residents during a visit to see the Revitalizing Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE) project during a visit to Makassar Alex Ellinghausen
Along with the assistance of Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who recorded a message on social media in Indonesian Bahasa, and the couple’s frequent references to climate change, the new face of Australian diplomacy was shown. very much: diverse, empathetic, less shrill and outward. .
Albanese came to the prime minister without the reputation of a foreign policy fool, but seems assured on the world stage less than three weeks after being sworn in. But as a government source said, although Albanese may not have talked much about foreign policy, he has been thinking about it for a long time.
He has already held face-to-face meetings with the leaders of Australia’s two most important strategic allies, the United States and Japan; emerging India; and our biggest neighbor Indonesia.
He hosted Jacinda Ardern, the leader of our closest friend New Zealand, on Thursday and Friday in Sydney.
“I now have a few more mobile numbers on my phone than I had before May 21,” Albanese said.
Even when there was a possibility that Albanese was literally wrong, when he and President Joko Widodo rode bicycles made of bamboo through the palace gardens, the Prime Minister succeeded.
It was a somewhat faltering journey at times, as Albanese walked slowly, at the pace set by Jokowi, so that the leaders could chat as they walked around the gardens, all the while the Prime Minister had his pants tucked into his socks. (Bicycles were a symbol of the humble beginnings of the two leaders).
Jakarta values early travel
Anthony Albanese and Joko Widodo push their bikes after cycling. Alex Ellinghausen
“I think Albanese’s trip to Indonesia was well received, and Jokowi received a star-like reception,” said Huong Le-Thu, senior policy member at the Perth USAsia Center.
“It’s a positive start to building a relationship, and it certainly helps build an image of Albanese and Jokowi, Australia and Indonesia as good friends.
“The local media has been positive about Albanese-Wong’s visit. I think Jakarta values the first trip, as it shows a high priority and the commitment of the new government. “
Albanese gave strength to Jokowi on a front.
Tensions over Russian President Vladimir Putin, who pledged to attend the G20 summit in Bali later this year despite the invasion of Ukraine, had made Albanese need skilled diplomatic work.
U.S. President Joe Biden wanted Russia out of the G20, and former Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it would be a step too far to sit at the same table as Putin.
With Jokowi insisting that Putin be invited, given that the G20 is an economic forum, a partial boycott was proposed at the Bali leaders’ summit, which would have embarrassed the Indonesian leader.
Instead, measures are being put in place to save face, including a video address of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Albanese told Jokowi that she would work with him to make the G20 a success.
“Australia’s peace of mind to attend the G20, this year chaired by Indonesia, is good news given how Western powers have pressured Indonesia for Russia’s assistance,” Le-Thu said.
Albanese also promised to make it easier for Indonesians to visit Australia, addressing a long-standing issue of Jakarta visas.
‘Competition without catastrophe’
Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese inspect the guard of honor during the annual meeting of leaders at Bogor Palace. Alex Ellinghausen
In China, Albanese and Jokowi handled this problem with skill. Indonesia has had well-documented tensions over Chinese fishing in the Natuna Islands, but has been much less conflictive in its language.
But during the joint public statement of the leaders after their meeting, Jokowi said that international principles and laws must be respected consistently.
“Strategic competition in the region needs to be properly managed to avoid open conflicts,” Jokowi said.
Albanese clung to Jokowi’s comments, saying they echoed his own view of the importance of “disaster-free competition” between the US and China.
However, Albanese expressed concern over a US news report that China planned to build a naval base in Cambodia and tightened its grip on the dangerous interception of a Chinese fighter jet. RAAF surveillance aircraft in the South China Sea, describing it as an “act”. of aggression ”.
In addition to being dangerous, interception is a strange behavior, as the Chinese ambassador to Australia speaks at once of wanting to re-establish ties.
Le-Thu said Southeast Asia had always been apprehensive, in one way or another, about China, though its concern was different and less alarming than that of countries like Australia.
“I think even in Indonesia, where relations are relatively better than many other Southeast Asian countries, confidence in China has been low,” he said.
“For Indonesia under Jokowi, progress has been good, improved ties with Beijing and investment opportunities have sometimes overshadowed security concerns. But they have not gone away.
“I think if the report on the Ream base in Cambodia turns out to be true, it will be another important factor that will raise concerns among Southeast Asians.
Crucial to business
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a business dinner in Jakarta. Alex Ellinghausen
In the midst of Beijing’s economic coercion campaign, Albanese made it clear that Indonesia, with its large population and growing middle class, was crucial to efforts to diversify trade and end the over-reliance on Chinese markets for exporters. .
Companies also seem to be listening to the message. Wesfarmers chief Rob Scott told reporters at a business dinner in Jakarta, where Albanese was the guest of honor, who looked to Indonesia as a supplier of consumer goods to Kmart and Target.
Indonesia, like Vietnam, appears to be preparing for a manufacturing flight away from China, as companies are looking for cheaper entry costs to spread the risk and minimize supply chain disruptions.
Scott was part of a business delegation that quickly met to accompany Albanese. Others on the trip included Commonwealth Bank chief Matt Comyn, Telstra’s Andy Penn and Fortescue Metals group vice president (and Reserve Bank board member) Mark Barnaba.
While executives were interested in exploring opportunities in Indonesia, they also appreciated the opportunity to hang out with the new prime minister.
One of the delegates, the chairman of the Australian Business Council’s global engagement committee and former federal minister Warwick Smith, says Albanese made the trip well, and the new Minister of Commerce Don Farrell was also impressive. “Positive meetings everywhere,” was his summary.
Albanese has another trip abroad before the Pacific Islands Forum in mid-July. Piece by piece, the “Albo doctrine” begins to fill.