Phil Turtle
National President

President's Column

Dear Members and Friends,

We would all have been saddened to learn of the recent terrorist attacks in Surabaya that claimed a number of lives.

We extend our condolences to those affected by these attacks and offer our well wishes to those tasked with reducing and eventually eliminating these threats.

Our Australian and Indonesian security forces enjoy an excellent working relationship and in times such as these that relationship is made even stronger.

Both our Prime Minister and Foreign Minister have made statements condemning the attacks, which can be seen here and here.
 
Surabaya is of course a key destination for many Australians doing business with Indonesia. Surabaya is Indonesia’s 2nd largest city and capital of the Province of East Java that is Indonesia’s most populous with a population of almost 40 million people.  Surabaya enjoys a fast-growing economy at around 5.5% pa.

East Java is also close to the hearts of many Western Australians particularly through the 26-year-old Sister State relationship which is growing from strength-to-strength.  The tour of the Persebaya Youth Soccer Team to Perth in June to play a WA Youth Team will give this relationship a real boost.

Indeed, the importance of this city and region is reflected in the recent opening of Australia’s Consulate General in Surabaya with former AIBC National President Chris Barnes and WA Government Representative as Consul General.
 
It is important that as we go about our work and travels in the region to remain calm yet alert.  It is highly recommended to keep informed and updated via Smartraveler, which is the key source of factual data about the events and is a source of the best government advice to Australian travelers and residents when travelling.

Ambassador HE Kristiarto Legowo addresses AIBC Business Breakfast in Perth

AlBC in WA recently hosted Ambassador HE Kristiarto Legowo, on his first official visit to Perth, at a very well supported and attended breakfast event. More on the event can be seen below in the WA Update, and once again this demonstrated the interest in Australia-Indonesia business opportunities, and the warmth between our people and countries.

One focus for the Ambassador was IA-CEPA, which is moving steadily ahead with important progress made on some of the remaining “sticking points”, including market access related issues. There is though still a little way to go, and the negotiating teams will be working through these outstanding issues in further meetings scheduled through June.

As reported last month, AIBC was delighted to partner with Telstra and telkomtelstra on the recent “Winning in Indonesia” web event. A brief “highlight reel” from this event can be viewed here, and AIBC looks forward to further similar collaborations in the lead-up to our Gold Coast Conference in November.

AIBC is also delighted to have finalized an MoU aimed at enhancing the already strong and regular collaborations with the Australia Indonesia Youth Association (AIYA). Thanks to AIYA National President Nicholas Mark and his dedicated team for helping drive this initiative. Similar MoU’s are in the pipeline with other organisations with a focus on Indonesia, to capitalize on our complementary strengths and resources.
 

Phil Turtle
National President

Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey shows Indonesian small businesses outperform competitors

Small businesses in Indonesia are once again outperforming their competitors in the Asia-Pacific region on the key economic drivers of innovation, technology and exports, according to a new survey released today.

The findings, from CPA Australia’s eighth annual Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey released in March 2018, follow extensive surveying of nearly 3,000 small business operators in Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Mainland China.

CPA Australia’s Head of Policy, Paul Drum FCPA, said the results showed the strong investment that Indonesian small businesses have made in technology – and their focus on innovation and exporting – was reaping strong profits for the sector.

The CPA Australia Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey provides annual insights into the views of small businesses across the region and forms part of a longitudinal study that began in 2009.

Press release (English) can be viewed here.

A summary of survey results for Indonesia (in English) can be viewed here.

The full results of the CPA Australia Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey (in English) can be viewed here.

Albert Yuen,
AIBC Victoria

AIBC Biennial Conference 2018

Planning is underway for AIBC’s flagship event for 2018, the AIBC Conference to be held Nov 11-13 at the Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa, on Queensland’s world famous Gold Coast.

As part of early planning we are keen to hear any suggestions for topical themes and speakers, as well as from organisations keen to partner with us. Full details of sponsorship packages are available upon request.  

As preparations continue for AIBC’s Biennial Conference in November on the Gold Coast, please continue to look out for further announcements here in AIBCnews, via our AIBC National Twitter account and by following #aibc18.  We hope to see you there.

As you can see from the collected feedback from our last Conference in Perth, the event was a major success, and one we are looking to surpass.

Any enquiries can be directed to president@aibc.com.au

2018-2019 Membership Renewals

AIBC Membership Renewal Notices and accompanying Invoices for the 2018-2019 Financial Year will be sent commencing Monday, 4th June and we are pleased to advise there will not be an increase in Membership Fees.

Membership rates for 2018-2019 will be as follows (inc GST):

• National Corporate - $2,600.00;
• Corporate - $1,250.00;
• SME/Individual - $360.00;
• Young Professionals - $100.00;
• Student - $70.00

Should you wish to renew your Membership prior to 30 June, please click here. Should you experience any difficulty with your Membership renewal or have forgotten your password, please contact us on 1300 902 878.

AIBC would like to take this opportunity of thanking you for your continued support.

ACT Update

Defence Exports to Indonesia

The ACT Branch of the AIBC held a successful briefing for over 90 defence exporters and other stakeholders from all state capital cities on 15 May 2018.  The event was supported by the Australia Industry Defence Network and Australia Industry Group and was sponsored by PwC.

Australia’s Defence Export Strategy was launched in January 2018 with the aim of Australia becoming one of the top 10 defence exporters within the next 10 years.  As part of the Strategy the Government has established the Defence Exports Office and appointed a Defence Exports Advocate.

Australia’s main defence export markets since 2000 have been the US, Indonesia, New Zealand, India and Singapore.  In recent years, Indonesia has been Australia’s second largest export market and in 2017 accounted for around 28 per cent of all Australian defence exports.

The key stakeholders attending the briefing included the Hon David Johnston as the newly appointed Australian Government’s Defence Exports Advocate (key speaker), Rear Admirals Simon Cullen and Rayden Gates (Strategic Defence Adviser and Defence Advocate for Queensland and Western Australia) and Air Marshals John Harvey and Geoff Brown (Defence Advocate for New South Wales and Chair of the ACT Defence Industry Board). 

The Indonesian Ambassador His Excellency Kristiarto Legowo also attended along with his Defence Attache Commodore Teguh Isgunanto and senior defence staff.  Australian Government agencies including the Defence Exports Office, Austrade, the Centre for Defence Industry Capability and EFIC also provided valuable information to exporters about how they could assist their businesses.

In the period 2009-2018, Indonesia imported defence equipment and support service from over 30 countries, of which South Korea (with its T-50 jet fighter and T209 submarines), Russia (Su-35 Flanker aircraft) and France account for around 53 per cent of market share.   A further 30 or more countries accounted for around 47 per cent of defence imports: US (8 per cent) Netherland and Spain (7 per cent each), China and UK (5 per cent each), Germany and Brazil (4 per cent each) and a number of other countries including Australia, Czech Republic, Israel and Turkey accounted for the rest (Source: HIS Markit).

In October 2017, Indonesia’s Ministry of Defence announced a review of its defence procurement procedures to introduce a consolidated policy inorder to simplify processes and enhance transparency.

After years of being a low priority, Indonesia will have the fifth fastest-growing defence budget in the world for the period 2016-2025, with the defence budget growing at a compound annual rate of around 4.7 percent.  It is claimed that Indonesia needs to spend more than US$20 billion on procurement to replace aging equipment over that period.  With over 17,000 islands spread around its archipelago and with the ongoing threat of terrorism in all countries, Indonesia’s defence needs are significant.

H.E. Kristiarto Legowo addressing the Briefing

Hon David Johnston gave the main address and participated in the panel session

Brendan Smyth (ACT Commissioner for International Engagement), Commodore Raden Teguh Isgunanto (Indonesia's Defence Attache) and Tony Mitchener (ACT State Chair)


Tony Mitchener,
ACT Chairman

NSW Update

Digital Start Ups Networking Event

A member networking function was held in co-operation with Workforce Blueprint, managers of an Australia Awards funded Indonesian Tech Start-ups and Scale-ups Short course. The short program was co-hosted with the Queensland University of Technology with visits to tech hubs in Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide.

The Indonesian group of 27 comprised talented Medtech, Edtech, Fintech and Agritech entrepreneurs, start up and scale ups. At the Sydney networking event they had a chance to meet with local companies and AIBC members including Compass Markets, KPMG, Cross and Co Lawyers, Baker McKenzie, Asean Focus Group and De Desa. It was an excellent opportunity to hear of the innovative products being developed in the digital commerce space in Indonesia and to make connections. If other AFG members would like to meet online with these companies please contact me.
Thanks to funding partners QUT and the Australia Awards at DFAT.
 

Agritech entrpreneurs with AIBC NSW Chair, Michael Fay

L-R: Enjoying a light hearted moment, Maryati from Ruang Guru Jakarta, Houssam Bizri Sydney based digital entrepreneur and Asma Nabila from Learn Quran making business connections

Indonesia Briefing with Dragoman Global

In Sydney on the 23rd of May, AIBC Corporate Member Dragoman Global hosted an intimate briefing on Indonesia’s political and economic situation for their clients and guests. Dragoman Global is an international strategic advisory company with particular depth of expertise in Indonesia, and we are delighted to have them aboard with AIBC, particularly with former Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer AO as a key member of their team.

Those attending, including AIBC’s National President Phil Turtle, heard interesting insights in the lead-up to the Indonesian elections from Director for Asia Chloe Martinez-Goldberg and Dragoman Counsellor Bill Farmer AO, with further comments from Michael Gill.

AIBC thanks Dragoman Global for their support, and the opportunity to participate in this event.

Indonesian Digital Ecosystem Forum with Astronaut Technologies.

AIBC supported the Indonesian Ecosystem Forum in an evening event hosted by Jakarta based company Astronaut. It was held at the Digital Start up Hub “Haymarket HQ” in Chinatown. The forum attracted an audience of 80 including AIBC members and youth associates. It featured an update on the learnings gained from the February 2018 Indonesian Australia Digital Forum and the Jakarta Labs Project as well as panel discussion followed by valuable Q &A.
Thanks to Nigel Hembrow from Astronaut for coordinating this event and to NSW Deputy Chair Nick Alexander for representing AIBC.
 

L-R:  Nigel Hembrow, Co-Founder & CEO, Astronaut Technologies Pte Ltd with Ms Suliyanti Sunaryo, Director, House of Indonesia Sydney, Sri Moertiningroem Director IIPC Sydney and Ruly Fitrah, IIPC Sydney

Nigel Hembrow, Francisco Widjojo and Lars Olsen addressing the audience.

Michael Fay,
NSW Chairman

NT Update

AIBC NT Fashion Event Friday 18th May 2018

AIBC NT arranged a fashion event, attended by some 200 people at Parliament House on Friday 18th May. The event was co-sponsored by NT Department of Business and the Office of the Chief Minister, showing their continued support of NT Government for the role of AIBC NT and for the importance of the relationship we have with Indonesia.

Other major sponsors also included SilkAir, Northern Oil and Gas, Luma Luma, Quest Apartments, Jape Homemaker Centre and Global Labour Solutions.

The event continued with our theme of recognition of the importance of the trilateral relationships between the Northern Territory, Indonesia and Timor Leste with a designer from each country showing us their range of designs and products.

Designers included from Darwin Adriana Dent / Albertini Couture, from Indonesia; Ronald Moreno from Indonesia and from Timor Leste: Rui Madeira Carvalho.

The wide range of designs displayed and celebrated a broad cross section of cultural and personal inspiration drawn from each designers passions including indigenous print, batik, hand sewn embroidery and woven fabrics.

Speakers included Pak Dicky SOERJANATAMIHARDJA Indonesian Consul NT, Mr Francisco FILIPE Consul General East Timor, Mrs Linda Reeves Chair AIBC NT and was opened by the Wan Sendari dance group from Batam Island, Indonesia.

The event was closed by Mr Terry Mills MLA, Independent Member for Blain who spoke of the importance of continuing to expand on the trilateral discussion between the 3 countries who share this geographic location.

Chair Linda Reeves and the AIBC NT committee worked tirelessly to make this event a success and we thank all in attendance.

Our next planned event is a dinner in Darwin with Indonesian Ambassador to Australia Mr Kristiarto Legowo in early July.

Designs by Rui Madeira Carvalho, Timor Leste

Design by Ronald Moreno, Indonesia

AIBC NT Chair Linda Reeves, Ronald Moreno, Pak Dicky Indonesian Consul and Ibu Mira, MC Terry Mills and Batam Dancers

Design by Adriana Dent / Albertini Couture

Northern Territory Parliament Motion

On the 1st of May 2018 the following motion was presented to the Northern Territory Parliament by Independent Member and Deputy Chair of the AIBC NT, Terry Mills.

The motion was debated with positive contributions from Government and Opposition and was passed unanimously. 
 
That this parliament calls upon the Northern Territory Government to take practical steps to help build a stronger working relationship between the Northern Territory and the people of East Nusa Tenggara and Timor-Leste as outlined but not limited to those listed below:

These practical steps should include, but not be limited to, the following:

• promotes better transport links between Darwin and both Kupang and Dili;
• a strong focus on East Nusa Tenggara and Timor-Leste with the Arafura Games to build this strategy;
• revisit the successful Education exchanges of the past; teacher to teacher and school to school
• foster increased understanding and mutual support of parliamentary members by developing a non-partisan three way parliamentary friendship group; and
• liaise directly with the NT Chamber of Commerce, the Australian Indonesia Business Council and through them the business organisations in East Nusa Tenggara and Timor- Leste.
   

Developing a New Tourism Growth Region

Northern Territory, East Timor, East Nusa Tenggara
Trilateral Tourism Project to Build a Commercial Case to Support New Flights from Darwin to Indonesia.
By Terry Mills MLA

In late December 2017 a new international flight commenced linking Kupang and Dili with three return flights per week, the fares were affordable and initially well supported both ways.

After three months the service was suspended for commercial reasons.  Rather than suggest that increased flight services linking our region are not sustainable it demonstrates that there is an ongoing desire to provide better links in our region therefore the question is how is the commercial case to achieve this constructed?
This brief paper sets out to answer that question.

If at the commencement of the Air Timor service one more route to create a triangle route linking Darwin, Kupang and Dili would be opened to create the opportunity for new tourism opportunities to link Darwin to an exciting new tourism growth region.

Like the Northern Territory, Timor-Leste and Eastern Indonesia’s are frontier barriers and opportunities stem from the same condition, they are frontier destinations that together could play a part in underpinning each other’s economic development.  Darwin is known as Australia’s Asian Gateway to Asia it is looking beyond that gateway that new tools to deal with old problems can be found. 

Rather than applying the same old thinking to old problems the benefits of a new regional approach to tourism, education and economic development unlocks new opportunities.  When referring to the north of our country we really need to live up to our own expectations because the harsh reality is that Darwin as ‘Gateway to Asia’ risks becoming little more than a cliché unless we apply new thinking to promote closer relationships and build new strategic regional alliances beyond the ‘doorway’.

We cannot afford to just wait for another airline to come along to reduce our increased isolation we need to act and be creative.
The reality is Darwin is arguably more isolated in 2018 than at anytime since QANTAS was founded nearly 100 years ago.  New plans we risk becoming little more than a rhetoric device to illustrate the nation’s physical closeness to Asia and little else.

Most predict that the Northern Territory economy will face challenging headwinds for the next few years as we adjust to life post the resources boom. Times like this force us to be creative and seek new solutions.

While the Northern Territory waits for the next big thing – such as a decision around to determine the future of onshore gas exploration – there are opportunities to link with East Timor and the eastern Indonesian provinces to open new economic fronts, it would be wise to consider what we have rather than bemoan what we lack.

The economic landscape to our north is rapidly changing.
The soon to be announced resolution to the maritime boundary between Australia and Timor-Leste is predicted to stimulate renewed Timor Sea oil and gas investment.  Along with this comes the opportunity for the Northern Territory to support this activity in a number of ways.

The Indonesian Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership
[IA-CEPA] is the most significant bilateral trade deal to date between Australia and Indonesia and will be concluded this year.
IA-CEPA is expected to open up new opportunities for better investment and trade opportunities with eastern Indonesia.  It is widely predicted that incentives to promote the provision of vocational education and training to support economic development in the region will be included in the agreement.  This will provide an opportunity for CDU and other Territory Education providers
and of course tourism which is in need of a boost as well as providing support for Education and Training in the region.  And any assessment of the type of economic developments in our immediate region points to new opportunities for Territory tourism and Education. 

Both Indonesia and Timor-Leste have recognised the pivotal role of tourism when planning regional and national economic growth.
The effect of volcanic activity in Bali also underscores the need to develop new markets beyond Bali.  New destinations in the east will draw more tourists into the area to our north.

Indonesia has accelerated plans to support a goal of increasing international tourism to 20 million by 2020 and to entice those visiting Bali to travel East.  Timor-Leste has a national goal to grow tourism from 55,000 annually to 200,000 by 2030 and much of this increase will be sourced from those exploring beyond Bali.

Darwin can benefit from this.  As the Australian capital within an hour’s flight from either Dili or Kupang, we can and choose to either see this growth in our region as competition or as an opportunity for strategic collaboration to collaborate. 

Darwin also has a strong tourism profile that could benefit from this an increased flow of tourists into the region to not only savour the unique Territory product but to access our strategic links to destinations an hour north Darwin.  I know locals would enjoy the option of a weekend in either East Nusa Tenggara or Timor-Leste if it were available.

Internationally Northern Territory could position itself as a premier and unique destination to draw tourists travelling East from Bali into Darwin and conversely out through Darwin to Kupang or Dili on to Bali.

Affordable flights linking the three cities and then on to Bali is the key.  The first step is to begin discussions between the government and tourism sectors in Northern Australia, Eastern Indonesia and Timor-Leste to set a framework for joint marketing and promotion.  This joint planning strengthens the commercial case for airlines to support airline’s consideration of servicing these routes.

The ideal vehicle to conduct this three-way dialogue is the existing Trilateral Forum initiated by Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao in 2014 and strongly supported by the Foreign Ministers of both Australia and Indonesia.

Rather than the broad agenda of the past it should instead be tightly focussed on tourism and directly related sectors such as Education and training.

Australia through Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has provided support to Indonesia to assist with the development of President Jokowi’s tourism master-plan so an extension to support a three-way dialogue is appropriate.

Bringing the three regions; North Australia, Eastern Indonesia and Timor Leste together in a collaborative way to focus on and establish a sector that can maximise regional economic growth, is a way to ‘kill three birds with one stone’ and reinvigorate to breathe new life into a Trilateral dialogue that would benefit from a sharper focus.

Guests enjoying the presentation 

Two former Chief Ministers led the presentation. One Labor one Country Liberal. Clare Martin and Terry Mills

Linda Reeves
NT Chairwoman
 

VIC Update

ASEAN Now

On 9 May, AIBC Victoria Young Professionals Chapter and Monash University hosted a panel discussion in Melbourne with Australia Awards in Indonesia (AAI) scholars from various peak Indonesian government and industry organisations. The evening was an opportunity for AIBC young professionals and AAI scholars to come together to reflect on Austrade’s 'ASEAN Now' report.

The evening was a sold-out success with seventy guests including Indonesia’s new Consulate General to Victoria and Tasmania, Ms Spica Alphanya Tutuhatunewa and Vice Consul for Economic Affairs Mrs Orchida Sekarratri. Indonesian private sector organisations represented by AAI scholars included PT Siemens Indonesia, PT Waskita Karya Persero and Bank BCA, and semi government representation included PT Garuda while ‘enabling ministries’ represented by AAI scholars included Bappenas, Fiscal Policy Agency and the Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board. The evening provided a great opportunity to make valuable connections between AAI scholars and their organisations and AIBC members, which was enabled by a stimulating discussion of current issues in the bilateral relationship for trade, infrastructure, digitisation, tourism, finance and other sectors.

Candice Colman, Vic Committee Young Professionals Mentor together with Monash and Australia Awards presenters.

AIBC, Australia Awards and Monash attendees with Victoria's newly appointed Consul General, Ibu Spica.
 

Jared Heath,
VIC Chairman

WA Update

Business Breakfast with H.E. Kristiarto Legowo, Indonesia's newly appointed Ambassador to Australia

AIBC WA was delighted to welcome H.E. Kristiarto Legowo, Indonesia’s Ambassador to Australia, to a Business Breakfast held in his honour on his first official visit to Perth. VIP guests included Hon. Bill Johnston MLA, Minister for Mines and Petroleum; Commerce and Industrial Relations; Electoral Affairs; and Asian Engagement, who welcomed the Ambassador and delivered some introductory remarks, and Ian Blayney MLA, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food; Fisheries, representing the State Leader of the Opposition, who also made the Ambassador welcome with a brief address delivered entirely in Bahasa Indonesia.

Addressing an audience of around 100 AIBC Members and guests, the Ambassador gave a wide-ranging update on current issues relevant to the Australia-Indonesia relationship, including the overall strength of the relationship, progress on IA-CEPA, development of “Special Economic Zones”, Connectivity Infrastructure Projects, Indonesia’s “10 New Bali’s” and improvements in Indonesia’s “Ease of Doing Business” ranking. The Ambassador reflected that “The keyword for the IA-CEPA is ‘partnership’. Indonesia and Australia should not consider each other solely as markets, instead as equal partners. With this, we should prosper together. A more prosperous Indonesia will bring benefit to Australia, and vice versa”. The Ambassador’s presentation slides can be seen here. 

By way of their introduction to the Ambassador and delivery of the “Vote of Thanks” respectively, Garret Dixon - President of Alcoa Bauxite, and Jill Hoffmann - Senior Vice President Marketing & Trading, Woodside Energy, were able to provide a snap-shot of their business interests and aspirations with Indonesia. Woodside also made a well-received presentation of a Fremantle Dockers jersey, that prominently carried the Woodside logo as major sponsors. The Ambassador wasted no time in trying it on, and wearing it for the remainder of the event, and featuring subsequently in Perth’s daily newspaper the West Australian.

AIBC thanks event sponsors Woodside Energy and Alcoa for their kind support, as well as Event partners the Indonesia Institute.

Hon. Bill Johnston MLA - Minister for Asian Engagement

Garret Dixon - President, Alcoa Bauxite introduces Ambassador Legowo

Ambassador Legowo addresses the event

Ambassador Legowo addresses the event

Jill Hoffmann - Senior Vice President Marketing & Trading, Woodside Energy, delivers vote of thanks and gift to Ambassador Legowo

Woodside Team with Ambassador Legowo and Consul General Ibu Dewi Gustina Tobing

Alcoa Team with Ambassador Legowo

AIBC, RSM and Atlas Pearls Boardroom Briefing

On 22 May 2018, RSM hosted AIBC in WA and Atlas Pearls at their Perth office for a boardroom briefing where we enjoyed stunning views of the sun setting over the Swan River (and the glorious pearls that were also on display!). Atlas Pearls CEO, Pierre Fallourd and RSM Director in Jakarta, Nick Graham delivered a very informative presentation and shared some tips on how to successfully do business in Indonesia. The event was very well attended with a lot of new faces in the room which is a testament to the level of interest in doing business in Indonesia.

It was an opportunity for our guests to nurture and forge relationships and to hear from the CEO of a company that is invested in the long term success of Indonesian pearling and sustainability. The Consul General of Indonesia in Perth, Ibu Dewi Gustina Tobing was in attendance as well. Click here for the  presentation delivered by Pierre Fallourd, for your information.

Julia Scott, AIBC WA Chair with Terence Wong of the WA Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation

Con Paoliello (Managing Partner, RSM Perth) and

Mollie Hartley (Corporate Lawyer, Bis and AIBC WA Committee Member) and Michelle Chafin (Director, Engine Room Business Innovation)

Julia Scott
AIBC WA Chairwoman

IndoView

New Mineral Exploration Areas

In his latest article, Bill Sullivan of Christian Teo & Partners, looks at plans for the opening up of new mineral exploration areas.

"It has recently been reported that new Indonesian mineral exploration areas will soon start to become available after a hiatus of almost seven years.

The resumption of the availability of new mineral exploration areas has been made possible, in part, by the issuance of a new regulation, in February, setting out the procedures for determining mining areas and issuing mining licenses among other things.”

To read this article in full, click here.

Indonesia Market Update

In their April 2018 edition of “Indonesia Market Update”, Morelink Asia Pacific provide news updates across many key sectors including the Indonesian economy, investment, trade, retail, agrifood, manufacturing, automotive, ICT and infrastructure sectors.

To read this update, click here.
 

Australia sixth in Lowy Institute’s power rankings

China is likely to overtake the USA as the most powerful nation in the Asia-Pacific by 2030, and Australia’s influence in the region is also predicted to wane over the next decade, according to a new power index launched by the Lowy Institute.

The interactive online index, which was unveiled at the Asia Society in New York this morning (AEST), measures power across 25 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The eight broad categories encompass military might, economic resources, future potential, diplomatic and cultural clout, alliances, trade and resilience.

To continue reading the entire article, click here.