Relations between Australia and Indonesia are able to withstand sporadic challenges because of the breadth, depth and strength of the relationship. However, there remain opportunities for the economic and strategic partnership to be enhanced. Increasing Chinese and Indian power in the Indo-Pacific region means that this process should be accelerated to ensure the security and prosperity of both nations.

Professor the Hon Stephen Smith discussed these issues with Flavia Bellieni Zimmerman of the AIIA for WA. Smith is on the board of the Perth USAsia Centre at the University of Western Australia and was the Australian foreign minister between 2007 and 2010, defence minister from 2010 until 2013.

This interview was conducted on 12 October 2016 after Professor Smith’s address to the Perth USAsia Centre and AIIA for WA titled Australia and Indonesia: Shared Security Interests and Cooperation. The full version of the interview may be viewed here.

Stephen Smith on the relationship between Australia and Indonesia.

On the geopolitical considerations of even stronger relations between the two countries.

On the value and importance of the New Colombo Plan.

Interviewed by Flavia Bellieni Zimmerman

Filmed by Nancye Miles-Tweedie