Trade and growth on agenda with Widodo: PM

Two-way trade between Indonesia and Australia in goods and services reached $14.9 billion in 2013. Australia’s contribution of AUD300 thousand to the Indonesian Red Cross will support its health initiatives in the three provinces over the next three months. Since then, the relationship has largely been based on mutual respect and understanding. The prime minister shook hands, posed for photos and got right into the spirit by snapping a selfie with Jokowi. That might encourage a more open policy, or do the opposite.

The trade visit will take to 10 the number of cabinet members who have visited Jakarta since the April executions of Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan.

“The overwhelming concern in Indonesia and Jakarta or in Canberra is about growth, economic growth, investment and jobs”, Mr Turnbull said.

Abbott’s comments raised nationalistic sentiment in Indonesia, which shifted the debate from the question of death penalty to the question of national sovereignty. Experts argued the decision was pointless. More than 600 Indonesian delegates have been invited to attend.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull speaks about the shooting at a press conference in Melbourne.

Despite signs of warming relations, Turnbull’s government has shown no signal of easing its tough immigration stance and the controversial policy of turning back boats from its shores remains a source of tension. “The temperature is warm but the warmth of the people towards the president is much warmer still”, he said to laughter from the crowd before taking off his jacket. The Indonesian and Australian navies are carrying out a four-day maritime security exercise in the Java Sea.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull left Canberra on Thursday to begin a 10-day overseas trip which will bring him to Indonesia, Germany, Turkey, Malaysia and the Philippines.

At a bilateral meeting at the presidential palace, Mr Joko said the close proximity of Australia and Indonesia was a fact.

There are two potential agenda items for Turnbull’s visit to Jakarta.

Through the Indonesian Red Cross, Australia will help provide vital equipment in Riau, East Kalimantan, and West Kalimantan to provide immediate relief to communities ailing from respiratory and other illnesses as a direct result of the smoke and haze.

Second, to enhance economic co-operation between the two countries.

He said the prospects of working with Indonesia to grow their respective economies have never been better, and that he looked forward to a collaborative relationship with President Joko Widodo.