Young people offer hope as relations with Indonesia drift back to normal

           

                                                   By Ross B. Taylor

The execution in Indonesia of the two Bali Nine ringleaders occurred just over a month ago, and whilst it may appear ‘all has been forgotten’ as West Australian families pack their bags and head-off for the annual winter holidays to our very own ‘paradise’ island, the scars of this traumatic event will be felt for some time to come.

Political pragmatism will prevail however, and the new Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Paul Grigson  - who was recalled following the executions – has yesterday quietly flown back to Jakarta and the bi-lateral relationship between Australia and Indonesia will return to normal.

Sadly, what we call ‘normal’ should be reason for very serious concern. Despite the positive words from our prime minister about needing ‘More Jakarta and less Geneva’ we continue to suffer from ‘the tyranny of closeness’ when it comes to Indonesia, where we address the usual neighbourly 'tiffs' often with suspicion and distrust.

Australia’s reaction to the execution of the Sukumaran and Chan was understandable, but on reflection was symptomatic of a country who was expressing its anger at people who we don’t really know, and with whom we feel uncomfortable anyway.

So what do we need to do to seriously address this long-standing relationship-malaise between our two nations? Maybe start with our youth.

Over recent years Australia has been ‘flooded’ by young people from Europe, and in particular Ireland, as they come to our shores on the 417 and 462 visa for a working holiday. It’s been a great success as without these young people, many of our cafes and restaurants would be all ‘self serve’! The other advantage of this program is that it provides a better understanding between Australians and these young ambassadors from the 30 plus counties involved in the program.

Indonesia has thousands of young people who can speak excellent English, who are internet savvy (Indonesia is number four in the world for Facebook usage) and who have disposable income for travel. They and also have experience in hospitality; just ask any Australian who has been to Bali about the standard of service from local waiters there.

Yet until recently our government only offered 100 visas each year to young Indonesians to join their European colleagues to work and holiday in Australia.

Under the Gillard Labor Government, Australia extended the visa rules to allow 1,000 young Indonesians the opportunity to work and holiday here annually, yet last year only 435 young Indonesians applied successfully.

Perhaps this is because Australia demands a visa fee of $420 per entry, plus each young person must have at least A$5,000 in the bank, a letter of support from their government and have health checks in the form of x-rays.

Even if an Indonesian family of four wants to visit Australia for only a holiday, they will need to find $540 just for the visas – compared to the $160 we would pay to enter Bali - plus each member complete a 15 page questionnaire. This is hardly a welcoming process.

Indonesia won’t say anything as ‘good neighbours are always polite’, but clearly they are not comfortable with what seems an arrangement that discriminates severely against their citizens.

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s immigration makes it very difficult for their own youngsters to even get the necessary letter-of-support, and they continue to make it almost impossible for young Australians to work and holiday in Indonesia, where they could benefit from language and cultural experiences. All the right words are said, but very little happens.

There are some shining lights however, where we are trying to make a difference, including the Australia-Indonesia Bridge School Partnership and the prestigious New Colombo Plan helping 60 of Australia’s smartest undergraduates learn in locations throughout the Asia Pacific Region. These are vitally important programs but really, very ‘small chips’ in building seriously stronger relations with our neighbour.

There are some excellent educational opportunities available to young people, including the Australian Consortium for In-Country Indonesian Studies (ACICIS) lead by Professor David Hill from Murdoch University. The program has assisted more than 1,800 undergraduates over 20 years get to gain a better understanding of Indonesia by studying there, yet Professor Hill must battle constantly for funding and support, just to maintain this invaluable program.
 

“This worrying situation could be vastly improved, not through spending big money, but by eliminating barriers," says respected journalist and author Duncan Graham who publishes the Indonesia Now Blog.

Why two seemingly ‘close’ neighbours – as our political leaders tell us – cannot open-up and develop youth opportunities and programs that are so fundamental to our future relationship, is frustrating and needs urgent attention by both governments.

Last century American Senator William Fulbright, who founded the International exchange program that bears his name said: In the long course of history, having people (living next to you) who understand your thoughts provides much greater security than another submarine.

As Duncan Graham will point out when he delivers his Deakin University address in Victoria during early July, “.... we are planning to spend at least $36 billion on new submarines (to improve our regional security) ....yet comparatively, next to nothing is being spent on improving relationships and understanding in our immediate region.”

We could start by ensuring our young people can move with far greater ease between two countries that are separated by a flight of only just a few hours.

Ross B. Taylor AM is the chairman of the Indonesia Institute (Inc)

(This article was first published on Tuesday 9th June 2015 in The Sydney Morning Herald and the Melbourne Age newspapers, as an Opinion piece.)