Allegra Spender (Wentworth, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak on the motion moved by the member for Solomon, and I thank him for bringing this issue to the attention of the chamber. The signing of the Australia-Indonesia Treaty on Common Security, known as the Jakarta Treaty, is an important moment. It is a signal, not just of the pragmatism about where Australia sits in the world but an important sign of who we are as a nation and the role that we aspire to play in our region. It reflects a maturing relationship between Australia and Indonesia, based on mutual respect, increased trust and a shared understanding that our security and our futures are inextricably linked.

The Jakarta Treaty comes not a moment too soon. Many countries in our region are developing quickly, growing economically and playing a more active role in our global order more than ever before. Indonesia is an incredible and brilliant example of this.

But the Indo-Pacific region is also being rapidly reshaped by economic competition, the shifting attention of great powers, and geopolitical and security challenges. This creates uncertainty that is unlikely to resolve in the near future. In this context, strong partnerships with our neighbours, particularly a neighbour such as Indonesia––one of the most strategic players in Asia and likely to only increase in that significance––it's not optional; this is essential.

Indonesia is the world's fourth most populous country, home to nearly 280 million people. It is the largest economy in South East Asia, a democracy of remarkable diversity and a leader in ASEAN, in the Indo-Pacific and on the global scale. It is one of our closest neighbours, yet the relationship honestly just has not had the investment that it should have from this side. I'm glad to see that the Jakarta Treaty changes that. It recognises the central role Indonesia plays in our region's peace and security, now more than ever. It goes well beyond the frameworks of the past and reflects a genuine, comprehensive strategic partnership, one that can build on trust, not just transactions. This trust has been carefully cultivated at the highest level of both governments and must now be nurtured at every level: people to people, business to business, community to community.

I want to acknowledge what this treaty represents for our shared security. The development of joint defence training facilities in Indonesia is a great step towards ensuring our militaries can coordinate and support one another on the ground, not just on paper. The expanded Junior Leaders' Forum Military Education Exchange will build connections between our forces, and the new embedded position of a senior Indonesian military officer in the Australian Defence Force will strengthen our partnership right up the chain of command.

This treaty also helps to unlock the enormous economic opportunities of mutual interaction between Australia and Indonesia. Indonesia's economic trajectory is remarkable. It is projected to be one of the world's top five economies by the middle of this century. Its middle class is growing rapidly. Its digital economy is one of the most dynamic in the world. Australian businesses, particularly in agriculture, resources, education, financial services and clean energy, have so much to offer the booming Indonesian market and vice versa.

I welcome the news that this treaty will facilitate closer cooperation between the Australian government and Indonesia's sovereign wealth fund to boost trade and investment links between our two countries. I will continue to press the government to ensure the promise of deeper economic engagement in Indonesia is matched by real action under its 2040 Invested strategy—cutting red tape, funding trade facilitation and investing in the people-to-people links that help drive more business.

The Jakarta treaty 2026 is a significant achievement for both nations. As well as the strategic, defence and economic opportunities, I think it also represents an opportunity for our peoples to become closer and for there to be greater exchange—language exchange and people exchange—with more Indonesians in Australia and vice versa. I hope this is the start of a closer relationship with Indonesia, one that is incredibly important both to Australia and to Indonesia. This is a really positive investment in that relationship, and I couldn't be happier that it has been made.

In the face of global challenges, our respective strengths mean that working together makes us stronger than the sum of our parts. I congratulate the government on this treaty. I thank the member for Solomon for bringing this motion, and I commend it wholeheartedly to the House.

See this speech in context