Claire Clutterham (Sturt, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The Jakarta treaty, a new bilateral treaty on common security, is now another critical element of Australia's relationship with Indonesia. As one of our closest regional partners, it's a relationship Australia deeply values. Entering the Jakarta treaty with our Indonesian friends is a demonstration of our desire to strengthen that friendship—the trust, the mutual respect and the unbreakable bond between us as regional neighbours and regional partners. Our long history of friendship and cooperation is confirmed to continue with the Jakarta treaty.

The Jakarta treaty is balanced, strategic, sustainable and practical, and there are three substantive features. Firstly, there is consultation in relation to security, with Australia and Indonesia agreeing to regularly consult at leader and ministerial level about matters affecting their common security and to develop such cooperation as would benefit their own security and that of the region. Second is consultation in the event of adverse challenges to either party or to their common security interests. This includes, where appropriate, consideration of measures which might be taken either individually or jointly in accordance with each party's relevant processes. Thirdly, whilst reflecting the policies and priorities of each party, the treaty includes an agreement to promote mutually beneficial cooperative activities in the security field in areas to be identified by the two parties together. These significant features mean an extension of the existing security and defence cooperation between the two countries, demonstrating the strength of the partnership and the depth of the trust and cooperation between Australia and Indonesia.

In signing the treaty, both Australia and Indonesia recognise that they, and indeed the region, benefit from stability and peace. When Australia is peaceful and stable and when Indonesia is peaceful and stable, both nations benefit. Having peace and stability across Australia and Indonesia, and meaningful cooperation between us, sends a strong message to the rest of the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. That message is that, when collective responsibility is used to secure and maintain peace and stability, everybody benefits. Stability, resilience and a sense of security are singled out in the Jakarta treaty as imperative, and it is recognised that working together collectively is the most effective way to achieve and maintain that environment. In the words of the Prime Minister, the best way to secure peace and stability in our region is by acting together.

The need to continue to generate, maintain and then further build regional security is also keenly illustrated in the treaty, in that both Australia and Indonesia express a desire to contribute to regional security and stability in order to ensure circumstances in which their aspirations can be best realised for the economic development and prosperity of their own countries and the wider region. Stable regions have stable economic environments that enjoy the right settings to grow and thrive for the benefit of all citizens. Of course, deepening Australia's economic engagement with Indonesia has remained and will remain a key priority for the Albanese Labor government, evidenced by the agreement to strengthen two-way investment through a memorandum of understanding between the Australian government and the Indonesian sovereign wealth fund, Danantara, which will increase cooperation and information-sharing and help to identify opportunities for increased two-way investment, enhancing our shared economic security and resilience. This underpins work already in train to deepen Australia's economic engagement with Indonesia, which is not only of significant value to both countries but is a key part of Australia's strategic endeavours to diversify our economy through growing and emerging markets in South-East Asia.

The treaty also quite rightly affirms the party's commitment to dialogue and to transparent, predictable and responsible conduct to reduce the risk of misunderstanding and miscalculation, and to prevent conflict. Dialogue, communications and proactive discussions take away guesswork. They build relationships and build trust, which in turn operates to minimise the risk of conflict. We don't want conflict in our region. It is not welcome in our region. Peace, stability and regional resilience are what we strive for and what this treaty reinforces. This is what this treaty is—a deliberate decision of government to partner with our ally and friend, Indonesia, in order to continue to build relationships, increase understanding and promote stability.

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