Zhi Soon (Banks, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

In my first speech to the House, I spoke of Australia's unique positioning in the Asia-Pacific and the importance of strong relationships with our closest neighbours and regional partners. I also spoke about my own family's heritage in South-East Asia and my time in diplomacy. As we finish the first sitting fortnight of the new year, I want to take this opportunity to recognise some of the great work of this Labor government in the foreign affairs portfolio, which came to fruition last weekend, to strengthen these regional relationships.

I was so pleased to see the successful visit of the Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign Affairs to Indonesia. As the Prime Minister said in question time earlier this week, 'no country is more important to Australia or to the prosperity, security and stability of our region and the Indo-Pacific than Indonesia'. At the centre of the visit was a meeting with the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, and the signing of the historic Australia-Indonesia Treaty on Common Security. This treaty builds on the 1995 Agreement on Maintaining Security, signed by Prime Minister Keating and President Suharto. The agreement reflects the strong relationship between our two countries, elevating our defence cooperation to a new level. It emphasises the close friendship and partnership we share and the deep trust that exists between our two countries.

The treaty encompasses a number of new initiatives, including the development of joint defence training facilities on Morotai island, a new embedded position for a senior Indonesian military officer in the Australian Defence Force and the building of ties between future military leaders through the expansion of the Junior Leaders Forum military exchange program. Importantly, the treaty signed on Friday commits our countries to leader-level consultations. That, in combination with the defence cooperation agreement signed in 2024—an agreement which makes it easier for our respective defence forces to operate from each other's territory and bases—ensures strong security engagement between our two countries.

Formal diplomatic ties between Australia and Indonesia commenced on 27 December 1949, when Australia recognised Indonesia's independence. However, the connection extends much farther, with archaeological discoveries unveiling contact being made by the Makassar and Kupang peoples of Indonesia and Indigenous Australians hundreds of years ago. Australia and Indonesia's relationship is steeped in centuries of history, friendship and trade.

In 2024-25, Indonesia was our ninth largest two-way trade partner by value at $34.8 billion and our 10th largest export market at $16.42 billion. Indonesia is also Australia's top destination for short-term overseas travel, with around 1.75 million visits made by Australians in 2024-25. More than 200,000 Indonesians in total have studied in Australia, including senior government and business leaders.

The agreement signed by the Prime Minister is the latest expansion of the long and rich friendship between our two countries. With international regional security being as important as it has ever been, Australia and Indonesia are working together—as my friend the Deputy Prime Minister described it—'as the very closest of neighbours, as the very dearest of friends and with a shared commitment of purpose and destiny'.

In my first speech to the House, I also said that a threat to peace and security anywhere is a threat to peace and security everywhere. I want to close by reminding the House of some of the less-known threats to peace around the world. As we speak, the brutal conflict in the Sudan rages on, causing unthinkable suffering. Tensions continue to escalate in the Horn of Africa, and concerning reports continue to come from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Sahel and Myanmar. While our priority in this House is always Australia, we must remind ourselves of what is happening around the world, and it should give us some pause to reflect on how fortunate we are to be Australians.

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