Beyond Treaties: The New Frontier of Australia-Indonesia Relations
For years, the dialogue between Australia and Indonesia has been dominated by the high-level mechanics of statecraft: security pacts, trade agreements, and diplomatic visits. The signing of the Australia-Indonesia Treaty on Common Security in February serves as a prime example of this strategic alignment.
However, security treaties alone cannot manufacture the mutual understanding required to sustain a long-term partnership. The real future of this relationship isn’t found in boardroom negotiations, but in the classrooms of both nations. To truly deepen ties, there is a pressing need to move beyond political formality and foster genuine people-to-people links.
Rediscovering a Shared Pre-Colonial History
Most Australian students are taught that the story of their land began with the voyages of Bass, Flinders, and Tasman. Yet, a much older story exists—one that predates European settlement and connects the northern coast of Australia to the island of Sulawesi.
As far back as the 1500s, Indonesian fishers—primarily Bugis and Makassarese people—sailed to Australia in search of trepang (sea cucumber). This prized culinary delicacy was collected and processed before being sold to Chinese merchants across Southeast Asia.
This wasn’t just a commercial transaction; it was a fair exchange of goods, including tobacco, tamarind, cloth, and calico. Anthropologist John Bradley notes that the success of this trade was rooted in the absence of racial judgment or race policies.
The Cultural Footprint of the Makassans
The legacy of these early visitors is still embedded in the culture of First Nations people. This history is preserved through loan words such as rrupiya (money) and lipalipa (canoe). More significantly, the Makassans are considered the first people to introduce Islam to Australia.
These connections went beyond trade; Makassan men and First Nations women established families, with some individuals even relocating to Indonesia. This makes the Makassans Australia’s first and oldest recorded trading partner.
The Education Gap: A Strategic Risk
Despite this rich history, the current educational landscape is lacking. Fewer Australian Year 12 students are studying the Indonesian language today than in 1989. When language learning declines, the ability to build deep, culturally nuanced relationships declines with it.
The Australian high school curriculum has remained noticeably light on Indonesian history, often ignoring the fact that the first foreign visitors to the continent came from Indonesia, not Europe.
Future Trends: Integrating Truth-Telling into the Curriculum
There is now a significant opportunity to reverse the trend of cultural detachment. The Albanese government’s rollout of the National Curriculum: Australian History Content provides a framework for this shift.
By embedding the Makassar–Yolngu relationship into the Year 9 module Making and Transforming the Australian Nations (1750–1914), schools can provide students with a more accurate and inclusive understanding of their region.
Victoria’s current rollout of the curriculum offers a concrete opportunity to pilot this content, potentially setting a precedent for other states to follow. This shift toward “truth-telling” in history is essential for building the cultural awareness needed to navigate a future shared with a neighbor of over 280 million people.
The Pragmatic Necessity of Cultural Literacy
The incentive for this educational pivot is not merely academic—it is pragmatic. Australia and Indonesia share one of the world’s longest maritime boundaries. Indonesia is the world’s third-largest democracy and holds the highest Muslim population globally.
In contrast, Australia’s Muslim community is small but vibrant, making up just 3% of the population. Bridging this cultural gap through education is the only way to ensure that the strategic partnerships signed today are supported by the people of tomorrow.
Quick Reference: Why Indonesia Matters to Australia
- Economy: Projected 4th largest global economy by 2050.
- Demographics: Population exceeding 280 million.
- Geography: One of the world’s longest shared maritime boundaries.
- History: Oldest recorded trading partnership via the trepang trade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the first foreign visitors to Australia?
The first foreign visitors were Indonesian fishers from Sulawesi, specifically the Bugis and Makassarese people, who arrived as early as the 1500s.
What was the primary commodity traded between Makassans and First Nations people?
The primary commodity was trepang (sea cucumber), which was highly valued by Chinese merchants.
How is the Australian education system changing to reflect this history?
The National Curriculum: Australian History Content allows for “truth-telling” in Humanities and Social Sciences, with opportunities to include the Makassar–Yolngu relationship in Year 9 studies.
Why is Indonesian language study important for Australia?
Language learning is seen as the starting point for fostering the long-term people-to-people links that sustain security and trade treaties.
Join the Conversation: Do you think the Australian school curriculum should place more emphasis on pre-colonial ties with Asia? Share your thoughts in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for more insights on Asia-Pacific relations.
