Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently commended Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for his leadership qualities and commitment to enhancing regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. During a joint press conference at the Merdeka Palace, Albanese praised Prabowo’s vision for strengthening partnerships and addressing regional challenges. He emphasized Indonesia’s crucial role in promoting peace, prosperity, and stability in the Indo-Pacific, highlighting its significance as Australia’s key partner in economic, political, and security cooperation.
Albanese lauded Prabowo’s national development initiatives, including the Free Nutritious Meals Program for schoolchildren, as evidence of the government’s dedication to social welfare and human capital development. Drawing parallels between this program and the potential for regional growth through free trade and stability, Albanese commended Indonesia’s leadership under Prabowo.
This visit marked Albanese’s first international trip since his re-election as Prime Minister and showcased the strong relationship between Australia and Indonesia. In a light-hearted moment, Albanese playfully mentioned Prabowo’s love for horseback riding, demonstrating a friendly rapport between the two leaders. The visit reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to expanding their strategic partnership, particularly in education, defense, sustainable economy, agriculture, and fostering people-to-people connections.