Sulistiyanto: Discussing Bilateral Relationship Between Australia and Indonesia

Sulistiyanto’s article is much talking about Indonesia and Australia relations in the era of democracy. He starts with a brief history of Indonesia events in the era of authoritarian politics – Sukarno and Soeharto governments. It traces on how the role of governments have impacted in the creating of Indonesia domestic policy and foreign policy, especially toward Australia. Sulistiyanto examines the changing in Indonesia domestic policy and the contribution of the non-state actors in the maintenance of the bilateral relationship of the two countries. In his article he mentions the four perspectives on Indonesia and Australia relations (pp.119-121). These four perspectives intend to show how the bilateral relationships between Indonesia and Australia are created. He then concludes with the deepening of the new era of democracy under Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono government and its impact on Indonesia’s foreign policy toward Australia.

Sulistiyanto points out the importance of democracy in the region have been emphasised by the President SBY’s speech in 2009. SBY (2009) stated that “he want...