Visit to Indonesia

I will visit Jakarta, Makassar and Bali from 20 to 23 March to discuss new opportunities to strengthen our bilateral relationship with Indonesia and consolidate our cooperation on shared regional and global challenges.

In Jakarta, I will meet with my Indonesian counterpart, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, and other senior ministers, to boost our political, trade and investment engagement with Indonesia. It is also a critical partner for Australia in countering the threat of terrorism in our region, and I will be working with my ministerial counterpart to build on this already extensive cooperation.

I will also formally open Australia's newly-constructed embassy in Jakarta. A state-of-the-art building and a joint project between Australian and Indonesian companies, it symbolises our commitment to strong and enduring ties with Indonesia. The new embassy facility will accommodate Australia's increased presence in Indonesia, and provide a secure working environment for our personnel.

I will also open the new Australian Consulate-General in Makassar. This is our third diplomatic post in Indonesia, recognising the breadth of our bilateral relationship. Makassar is Indonesia's fifth largest city and a key commercial hub for Australians doing business in eastern Indonesia.

In Bali, I will co-chair with Foreign Minister Marsudi the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the 'Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime'. This is an important opportunity for Australia to work with our regional partners on an ambitious agenda to combat irregular migration, people smuggling and human trafficking.