Thursday, September 18, 2014

New posts this week: West Papua hoping for a Jokowi wind change, Bali still vulnerable to terrorist attacks, regional election bill could undermine democracy


Welcome, selamat datang,

Some of our members at the Indonesia Institute feel that Indonesia, East Java in particular, is a logical and untapped source of agricultural and horticultural labour. In addition, Australia is sorely in need of childcare and elderly/disability carers. Such a labour shortage is often reported in the Australian media and it would be mutually beneficial for both Australia and Indonesia to step up talks between government and industry decision-makers to get an appropriatly managed Indo-workers visa scheme on the books. Indonesia and Australia have a sufficiently mature relationship that opening up a labour stream could be a game changer for both our fortune's and stability. Proposed changes to the 457 visa are a start, but targeted programs require bilateral co-operation between NGOs, interest groups, business and government agents. Editor.

Please enjoy this week's posts:

"Indonesia: regional election bill a threat to democracy," by Catriona Croft Cusworth, September 2014.

"Keeping Bali safe from another terrorist attack," By Ross B. Taylor, September 2014.

"West Papua: hopes of change with Jokowi win?" By Andrew Manners, September 2014.

Extra reading:

Morrison proposes changing the rules to lower the 457 threshold.

Many Indonesians were wary of Megawati becoming Jokowi's 'puppet master' and her influence shows no sign of waning.

Hamish McDonald said it could be a case of same old same old, with a new political face but the same cogs working in the background.

More news:


The Indonesia Institute is hosting an exclusive roundtable event with the Perth USAsia Centre and Special guest speaker Emeritus Professor Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, PhD, former Co-ordinating Minister for Economic Affairs (2001-2004), Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States (1998-2001)




Professor Dorodjatun will be speaking on the challenges and decisions that will face Indonesia’s president-elect Joko Widodo. As soon as he takes office in October 2014 , Indonesia’s new leader will need to address his country’s economic challenges including the highly sensitive fuel subsidy policy, poverty, education, healthcare, and international challenges including the rise and rise of China in the region, and the re-birth  of militant terror groups under ISIL in the Middle East and possibly South-East Asia.


More to come on how it went.

2 comments:

  1. Dear Editor

    Congratulations on this excellent Blog.

    As someone who has been actively involved in international recruitment especially in the 457 visa area I understand the economic value that a global work force brings to the country of origin and the recipient country of the skills.

    The experience in recruitment highlighted the social benefits to the country of origin when the workers are capable of sending “cash” home. The anecdotal evidence is over whelming in that this support it lifts the living standards and enhances the quality of health care and vital education for the families involved.

    Research will show that the 457 visa holders have made a great contribution to the Australian economy and to society in general.

    The needs in child care and aged care is a sector that could benefit both countries immediately.

    I would be more than happy to contribute further to this date.


    Jim Stitt





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  2. Prof Dorodjatun Kuntjoro Djakti is the right man to address the discussion for those issues. Seeing by his perspective is radical and very enticing. To everyone who's attending the event, you're lucky!

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