Public lecture on Australian-Indonesian relations

Sep 27, 2004

The University of Wollongong’s Centre for Asia Pacific Social Transformation Studies (CAPSTRANS) and the Indonesian Student Association presented a joint seminar last week (Friday, September 24) analysing Australian-Indonesian relations in light of the recent Jakarta bombing.

This discussion-style lecture was led by Associate Dean (Research and Graduate Studies) in the Faculty of Arts, Professor Adrian Vickers, and a panel of commentators who discussed the up-and-down history of relations including issues of terrorism and the media coverage of both countries.

Professor Vickers said that the seminar was intended as a dialogue between Australian academics, students interested in Indonesia and Indonesians studying at UOW.

“Basically I looked at the present situation, namely the Australian Embassy bombing and the Presidential election in Indonesia, in the light of the longer-term history of Australian-Indonesian relations,” he said.

“I also discussed the history of Jemaah Islamiyah and the problems that come with discussing it in Indonesia.”

Professor Vickers said that the relationship between both countries has been one of ups and downs, from the high point of Australian sponsorship of Indonesian independence in the 1940s, to such lows as the dispute over Malaysia in the 1960s, the Jenkins Affair in 1986 and East Timor.

Professor Philip Kitley from the Social Sciences, Media and Communication Unit also shared his insights into the current political situation, along with UOW PhD student, Ari Poespodihardjo, who is a practising journalist in Indonesia.

-RP