Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised 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 commended Prabowo’s vision in bolstering partnerships and addressing regional challenges, emphasizing Indonesia’s pivotal role in promoting peace, prosperity, and stability in the Indo-Pacific as Australia’s key ally in various areas such as economics, politics, and security cooperation.
Albanese specifically highlighted Prabowo’s initiatives for national development, including the Free Nutritious Meals Program for schoolchildren, as a reflection of the government’s dedication to social welfare and human capital development. Drawing a connection between this program and the region’s potential growth through free trade and stability, Albanese praised Indonesia’s leadership under Prabowo.
The visit marked Albanese’s first international trip following his reelection as Prime Minister and reinforced the strong Australia-Indonesia relationship. In a lighthearted moment, Albanese humorously mentioned Prabowo’s love for horseback riding, reflecting a warm rapport between the two leaders. The visit reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to expanding their strategic partnership, particularly in areas such as education, defense, sustainable economy, agriculture, and fostering people-to-people connections.
