Australia, Indonesia agree to upgraded defence pact

Australia and Indonesia have agreed in principle to a new defence treaty that will significantly upgrade their cooperation on regional security and defence matters.

The agreement was endorsed on Wednesday by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and visiting Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto during Prabowo’s first state visit to Australia. Although the treaty will not be formally signed until January, both leaders described it as a “watershed” moment in bilateral relations.

Albanese said the treaty would commit both nations to regular consultations at the leadership and ministerial levels on security issues and enable “mutually beneficial security activities.” It also includes provisions for both countries to consult and consider joint or individual responses if either nation’s security is threatened.

“This treaty reflects our shared belief that the best way to secure peace and stability in our region is by working together,” Albanese said. “It marks a new era in the Australia-Indonesia relationship and reinforces close cooperation in defence and security.”

Prabowo echoed this sentiment, noting that Indonesia values its neighbours’ support during difficult times. “In our culture, we say that in times of emergency, it is our neighbour who will come to help,” he said.

While the full text of the treaty has not yet been made public, Albanese said it builds on the 1995 security agreement signed by then-Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating and Indonesian President Soeharto. That earlier deal was later cancelled by Indonesia following Australia’s participation in a United Nations peacekeeping mission to East Timor after its violent separation from Indonesian rule in 1999.