The Hon Tim Watts MP, Special Envoy for Indian Ocean Affairs
The Albanese Government wants more young Australians to learn a language and build the skills, confidence and connections to engage with our region, including with our close partner Indonesia.
Today Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono and Special Envoy Tim Watts MP joined Collingwood Football Club captain and Bahasa Indonesia speaker Darcy Moore to showcase the important role language and sport can play in bringing Australia and Indonesia even closer together.
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, they met with the Krakatoas Australian-Indonesian AFL team and children learning Bahasa Indonesia from Brunswick North West Primary School through the Australia Awards Indonesian Language Learning Ambassador program.
For Australia, giving young people the language skills and cultural understanding to engage with our region is an investment in our future security, prosperity and relationships.
In May, the Government announced $2.5 million through the Community Language Schools Grants Program – Fluency in Asian Languages – Round 1 grant to support Asian language learning.
Under the Jakarta Treaty signed in February this year, the Australia-Indonesia Institute will receive $11.4 million to expand its cultural exchange and grants programs over 4 years, creating more opportunities for Australians and Indonesians to learn from each other and strengthen ties.
The Government is also strengthening Australia's Indonesia capability through the New Colombo Plan, with a renewed focus on priority Asian language learning, longer-term immersive experiences and deeper engagement with Indonesia.
Quotes attributable to Foreign Minister Penny Wong:
"Darcy Moore is a great example of how learning a language can open doors to new experiences, connections and a deeper understanding of our region.
"We want more young Australians to have the opportunity to learn Bahasa Indonesia and other regional languages so that we build greater cultural understanding and connections with our neighbours.
"For Australia, building these skills strengthens our ability to confidently engage with our region and supports our future security and prosperity."
Quotes attributable to Special Envoy for Indian Ocean Affairs, Tim Watts:
"Building Australia's Asia capability is critical to our nation's future.
"We want language learning to open doors for young Australians, whether that is through the classroom, an exchange program, study or a career working with our region.
"For Australia to succeed in the years and decades ahead, we need a deeper understanding and engagement with our region's languages, cultures, histories, societies and economies."
Media note: Imagery will be available via DFAT's media library