Luke Gosling (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move that this House affirms the significance of the recent signing of the Australia-Indonesia Treaty on Common Security, also known as the Jakarta treaty 2026. I do so as the member representing one of the electorates physically closest to Indonesia and as someone who sees firsthand the immense potential of this relationship, particularly for Darwin and the Northern Territory. In fact, it was just Friday night that I was speaking about the treaty and acknowledged the Republic of Indonesia consul general, Consul Bagus, in Darwin.

Australia and Indonesia are the closest of partners. Geography makes us neighbours, but decades of practical cooperation have made us trusted friends. There is no more important partner to Australia than Indonesia. Our futures are intertwined, and our stability and prosperity depend on that strong, steady relationship. In a time of heightened strategic competition and global uncertainty, this treaty sends a very clear message. We value this partnership and we are committed to strengthening it. We will not allow complacency or misunderstanding to erode what our countries have built together.

The Northern Territory has made its own unique contribution to growing the relationship as well. The NT strengthened ties by signing a five-year memorandum of understanding with Indonesia in November 2024, the first of its kind between any Australian jurisdiction and Indonesia. We have an active and thriving chapter of the Australia-Indonesia Youth Association. I have long advocated for finding ways to increase Indonesian language enrolments, and I see real potential for the establishment of an Indonesia institute or an Indonesia centre of excellence in Darwin that would build on our already strong and unique relationship by facilitating even closer ties across academia, industry and government. These are all ways we can build trust and mutual understanding.

At its core, the Jakarta treaty is about consultation and solidarity. It commits our leaders and ministers to consult on matters affecting our common security. When challenges arise, whether to our sovereignty or the stability of our region, we will engage early, candidly and constructively. It also provides that in the face of adverse challenges we will consult and consider measures that we can take individually or jointly in response. That is a mature expression of partnership, one that respects sovereignty while recognising that our security is shared.

This initiative, driven personally by the Prime Minister and the Republic of Indonesia President Prabowo, reflects the depth of trust between our governments and the strength of our comprehensive strategic partnership. We also acknowledge the legacy on which this treaty builds. Thirty years ago, Paul Keating and Gareth Evans, together with their counterparts, President Suharto and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Alatas, signed the agreement on maintaining security. That agreement was groundbreaking for its time. It marked a decisive step in finding our security in Asia, not from Asia. Today we continue that proud Labor tradition. This treaty continues that work for a new strategic era.

The Albanese government has prioritised repairing and strengthening our regional relationships. After years in which the Liberals and the Nationals neglected our neighbourhood and left a vacuum for others to fill, we have been deliberate in rebuilding trust. We have listened, shown respect and re-engaged with seriousness of purpose. Indonesia's economic growth represents significant opportunities for Australian businesses that were captured in Invested: Australia's South East Asia economic strategy to 2040. We are working to realise that potential, deepening economic ties alongside our security cooperation. Prosperity and security go hand in hand. Concurrently with signing the Jakarta Treaty, we have also deepened Australia's economic engagement with Indonesia by agreeing a memorandum of understanding between the Australian government and the Indonesian sovereign wealth fund, Danantara, which will help identify opportunities for increased two-way investment between our nations.

This is a historic moment. It marks a new chapter in a defining relationship and affirms a simple truth: Australia's future is strongest when we stand alongside Indonesia as partners and as neighbours. I commend the motion to the house.

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