Key Points
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has met with Indonesia's president, making a series of announcements.
- Education, renewables and visa perks for Indonesians were among them.
- Indonesia also wants Australia's help on EV batteries and building its new capital city.
Business travel for Indonesians to Australia will be made easier in a bid to boost the economic partnership between the two countries, following a deal struck between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Joko Widodo.
The pair met for talks in Sydney on Tuesday during the Indonesian president's three-day visit to Australia.
Visa changes, climate initiative funding and boosting education partnerships between the two nations were agreed on during the discussions at Sydney's Taronga Zoo.
What new Australian visa changes are ahead for Indonesians?
Mr Albanese announced Indonesians will be able to access extended business visas for Australia, increasing from three to five years.
Indonesian ePassport holders will be prioritised by getting access smart gates at Australian airports.
Indonesians will also be able to access a frequent traveller visa.
"This offers a 10-year visa validity making an enormous difference and removing bureaucratic impediments to our closer relationship," Mr Albanese said.
"Today our relationship shifts up another gear, our countries continue to choose to draw closer together."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Joko Widodo met for talks in Sydney on Tuesday during the Indonesian president's three-day visit to Australia. Credit: David Swift/AP
Australia seeking to boost Indonesian language studies
The two leaders also discussed education partnerships, with major Australian universities including Western Sydney University, Deakin University and Central Queensland University setting up facilities in Indonesia.
A program to encourage more Australian students to learn about Indonesian language and culture was also unveiled.
The scheme would capitalise on the rising number of Indonesian students studying at Australian universities, which has rebounded following downturns caused by COVID-19.
Indonesia wants Australia to work on EV batteries
On tackling climate change, a $50 million initiative will also be set up to finance climate change startups and initiatives in Indonesia.
Mr Albanese said it will be used to invest in startups and small to medium enterprises-focused on mutual benefit from Indonesia's energy transition and clean energy technology sectors.
West Australian Premier Roger Cook will hold talks with Mr Widodo in Sydney on Wednesday, with the pair likely to discuss Indonesia's transition towards renewable energy and its aspirations for an electric vehicle manufacturing industry.
Indonesia has been looking at developing electric vehicle infrastructure across the country.
Mr Widodo said the two countries needed to work together on emissions reduction and developing batteries for electric vehicles.
"We want the Indo-Pacific to become a stable and peaceful region that focuses on collaboration and concrete cooperation," he said.
Indonesia invites Aussie companies to build capital city
Mr Widodo also urged Australian private sector companies to work on the construction of Indonesia's new capital city.
Mr Albanese announced a new package to support the development of the city, with Australia's National Capital Authority to provide cooperation to Indonesia.
Earlier, Mr Widodo held a meeting with business leaders, before he met with Governor-General David Hurley at Admiralty House.
The construction site of Indonesia’s new capital city Nusantara in Sepaku, Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Source: AAP, EPA / Mast Irham
The two leaders will next meet in Indonesia later this year for the East Asia Summit and ASEAN-Australia Summit.
Mr Widodo will return to Australia in March next year for an ASEAN special summit.
Even though it will be after the Indonesian presidential elections in February, he does not step down upon completion of his second five-year term until October.
