The second day of President SBY’s working visit to Darwin began with a face-to-face meeting with Prime Minister Julia Gillard at the Parliament Building of Northern Territory (03/07). In the meeting, the two addressed various opportunities to promote bilateral cooperation between both countries.
Starting the meeting, PM Gillard said that Australia will increase the number of Work & Holiday Visa for Indonesia from 100 to 1000 visas per annum.
“We also agree to hold the 2nd Indonesia-Australia Dialogue in Sydney later on 24 September 2012,” as reported by the Indonesian Embassy to Foreign Ministry Portal this afternoon.
In addition, PM Gillard will deliver Australian Government’s commitment to endorse food security, especially through promoting export of and increasing support for Indonesian cattle farm industry.
President SBY conveyed his appreciation to PM Gillard for such an increase in intensity of relationship between the two countries in various sectors.
“This can be seen from the increase of 29% in trade volume and donation of four C-130 aircraft carriers by Australia,” President SBY said. Through this opportunity, the President also encouraged Australia to invest in Indonesian infrastructure sector.
In terms of people-to-people contacts, President SBY highlighted the downgrading of Australia’s travel advisory for its citizens who are travelling to Indonesia. As the President has said before, this is something crucial to promoting people-to-people contacts between Indonesia and Australia.
Commenting about 54 underage Indonesian Boat Crews who are still going through a legal process due to people smuggling case, the President wished that the Australian Government could expedite their repatriation.
After the bilateral meeting, the President had a meeting with the committee of Australia Indonesia Business Council (AIBC) which was followed by a luncheon with Australian and Indonesian businesspeople.
In the afternoon, the President received a courtesy call from the Australian Opposition Leader, Tony Abott, and his deputy, Julie Bishop, who is also the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Before ending this second day, the President also received a visit from the Chief Minister of Northern Territory, Paul Henderson MLA. (Source: Indonesian Embassy in Canberra/PLE/ed. PY)