JFCC Speaker Event with Australia’s Ambassador to Indonesia Gary Quinlan

Dear members and friends,

Australia’s embassy in Jakarta is its biggest mission in the world, reflecting the importance Canberra attaches to a relationship that is also vital for the region.

Security cooperation in the counter-terrorism sphere also became an imperative after the 2002 nightclub bombings on the resort island of Bali that killed 202 people, including 88 Australians.

But the relationship has seen plenty of ups and downs in recent decades, ranging from the uproar over the execution of Australian citizens for drug smuggling, to spying scandals and allegations of atrocities by Indonesia’s military. Not to mention, trade disputes such as Australia’s suspension of live cattle shipments.

Currently though relations seem to be on an upswing, with an economic partnership agreement signed in March aimed at stepping up trade and investment that has lagged despite the close proximity of the nations.

The JFCC Committee