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PRIME MINISTER
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P J KEATING, MVP
THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF INDONESIA'S INDEPENDENCE
Fifty years ago, in the same week in which victory was finally achieved in the Pacific
war, the leaders of Indonesia's nationalist movement proclaimed their country's
independence from the Dutch.
That declaration on 17 August 1945 by Sukarno and Mohammned Hatta set in train the
momentous events which created the modern Indonesian state and transformed our
region. On behalf of the Australian Government and people I am very happy to offer the
Government and people of Indonesia our warmest congratulations on the
anniversary of this historic event.
Few developments since the end of the Second World War have had such beneficial
strategic and political consequences for Australia as Indonesia's development as a
united and increasingly prosperous country.
In its half-century of independence, Indonesia has faced huge nation building
challenges. [ t has had to mould a unified nation and create a modern and outwardlooking
economy in a diverse archipelago comprising a vast number of different
cultures, languages, religions and ethnic groups.
Its population of 190 million is now the fourth largest of any country in the world.
In the face of these challenges, the accomplishments of the Indonesian people have
been remarkable.
Under the New Order Government of President Soeharto, the number of Indonesians
living below the poverty line has fallen from 60 per cent of the population to 13 per
cent in 1994. By the end of the century it is expected to fall to 6 per cent. Infant
mortality has more than halved over the past 25 years and life expectancy has risen by
17 years. In 1960 39 per cent of Indonesians were literate; now more than 80 per cent
are. Each year the Indonesian economy has been growing at around 6 per cent. It is
expected to continue to grow at this rate for the rest of the century.
Indonesia has also had an important influence in the wider international community.
The Bandung Conference of Asian and African countries in 1955 led to the
establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement. Indonesia has been a core member of
ASEAN. And at the Bogor conference of APEC leaders last year under President
Soeharto's chairmanship, the framework was set in place for economic growth in the
Asia Pacific region into the 2 1st century.
These developments have formed the foundation for the growing economic partnership
between Australia and Indonesia, which has hugze, untapped potential for both our
countries. Australia's merchandise exports to Indonesia were worth more than $ 2 billion in 1994
and more than 300 AustraX'..-companies now have a presence there.
But Indonesia's independence struggle was also important to Australia in another way.
Our policy response to the developments to our north our decision to support the
new national leadership and to help marshal international support for Indonesian
independence rather than simply to acquiesce in the post-war return of the colonial
system marked a turning point in the development of an independent Australian
foreign policy.
Australia's choice reflected the realities of our geography and the realisation that the
aspirations of the people in this region mattered to Australia.
Australians can take pride in the contributions this country made at that time through
public support for the struggle, including Trade Union blackbans on shipping, and the
Government's decision to bring the struggle to the attention of the United Nations and
our key role as advocate of Indonesia on the Committee of Good Offices.
Far-sighted individuals such as the Prime Minister, Ben Chifley, the Foreign Minister,
Dr Evatt, Sir Richard Kirby, Mr John Burton, Professor W McMahon Ball and Mr
Tom Critchley, as well as many private individuals and trade unions like the Waterside
Workers' Federation helped to secure the cause of Indonesian independence and, in
doing so, shaped a new direction for Australian foreign policy.
I have often said before that no country is more important to Australia than Indonesia.
The future of our two countries is inextricably linked.
Year by year the network of government to government and people to people
contacts between us has been growing in strength and depth. I am delighted with the
rapid increase in Indonesian students and tourists coming to Australia. One of the
Australian Government's major policy aims is to ensure that this strong partnership
between us continues to develop and that it becomes a source of stability and
prosperity for our whole region over the next fifty years.
For that reason, I am pleased to announce that the Australian Government has decided
to mark the 50th anniversary of Indonesian's independence by establishing a prestigious
new scholarship scheme to be called the Australia-Indonesia Merdeka Fellowships.
These will be mid-career awards directed at future leaders in each country from across
a wide range of professions and disciplines.
It is our hope that over time these fellowships will help consolidate in each country a
community of people who share common experiences and a common vision of our
bilateral relationship.
It is my very great pleasure on Australia's behalf to congratulate Indonesia and its
people on the achievements of fifty years of independence.
CANBERRA 16 August 1995