Australia's relationship with Indonesia, a key neighbor and trading partner, is at a critical juncture. Despite the rhetoric emphasizing the importance of Indonesia, recent developments suggest a regression in focus and capability. The appointment of Rod Brazier as Australia's ambassador to Indonesia is symbolic, but it highlights a deeper issue: the decline in Asia capability and the need for a renewed commitment to understanding our region.
Personally, I think the decline in Asia capability is a significant concern. The world is becoming more localized, and countries are strengthening their bilateral ties. Yet, despite the rhetoric, Australia seems to have regressed in its focus on Indonesia, a country vital to our region's peace, stability, and prosperity. The shock of the Strait of Hormuz closure and the prime minister's recent trip to Southeast Asia underscore the importance of these ties. However, the news desks in Australia don't seem to rate Indonesia highly, with some correspondents describing their interest as 'bombs, bongs, and boats'.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the contrast between the rhetoric and reality. The Indonesian economy is facing significant challenges, with analysts fearing another Asian financial crisis. The depreciation of the rupiah, the suspension of trading on the Indonesian stock exchange, and the capital outflow are alarming signs. Prabowo's economic strategy, aiming for 8% annual growth, is being undermined by the central bank's interest rate hikes and the government's reluctance to cut back on expensive pledges. This raises a deeper question: how can Australia support Indonesia through these challenges?
From my perspective, the decline in Asia capability is not just about language enrollments falling. It's about the institutional sustainability of programs in history, politics, international relations, linguistics, and cultural studies. The 'Job-Ready' graduates package, for example, inadvertently created a financial incentive for students to study language without culture, weakening the pipeline into Asian language and area studies programs. This is a critical issue, as it weakens our ability to understand and engage with our Asian neighbors.
One thing that immediately stands out is the need for a renewed commitment to understanding Asia. The Asian-Australian diaspora may help, but it's not enough. We need to invest in language programs, teaching pipelines, and in-country experiences. This is not just about language, but about building deep regional expertise. The report from the House of Representatives standing committee on education highlights the existential crisis facing Australia's Asia capability pipeline. It's a wake-up call that we need to act to preserve the institutions that build our Asia capability.
In conclusion, Australia's relationship with Indonesia is at a critical juncture. The decline in Asia capability is a significant concern, and we need to take action to address it. The appointment of Rod Brazier is a step in the right direction, but it's not enough. We need to invest in language programs, teaching pipelines, and in-country experiences to build deep regional expertise. Only then can we ensure Australian self-reliance in Asia in challenging and contested times.
