Emerging Voices Volume 7
Overcoming invisible barriers: Can Australia and Indonesia translate strategic trust into depth of cooperation?
November 2025
Jenny Winata was a Visiting Fellow at the Perth USAsia Centre, through an initiative supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. She joined the Centre from the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia in Jakarta, where she is Program and Research Manager. In this role, she is Coordinator for the Middle Power Studies Network, convening high-level initiatives and dialogues promoting middle power diplomacy in regional and global affairs. She is also coordinator for the Indonesian Youth Democracy Forum, leading programs on the rule of law, institutional reform, disinformation, democratic resilience, and the role of youth and civil society.
Key Messages
↗ The Australia-Indonesia relationship has come a long way, underpinned by hard-gained strategic trust built over the decades.
↗ Despite institutionalised frameworks and agreements, trade, investment, and people-to-people ties remain limited, indicating the relationship is yet to reach its full potential.
↗ While the Defence Cooperation Agreement is a milestone, both need to enhance their cooperation on fast evolving and emerging risks in the region.
↗ Divergent strategic outlooks means that zero sum thinking and rhetoric on ‘the China factor’ will not be effective as an entry point for bilateral or broader regional cooperation; rather, pragmatic partnerships are needed.
↗ Shared interests exist in economic diversification and critical industries, including critical minerals, offering opportunities for convergence despite differing strategic choices.
↗ Persistent outdated perceptions and low Indonesia literacy in Australia underscore the need to invest more intentionally to strengthening community links, exchanges, and mobility initiatives.
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