178 Billion Rupiah Australia-Indonesia Aviation and Maritime Safety Package

Australia’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr Bill Farmer, welcomed the announcement by Australian and Indonesian Transport Ministers to work together to improve Indonesia’s aviation and maritime safety capabilities.

“Australia will provide almost 178 billion rupiah over three years for a package of training and technical cooperation with Indonesia in addressing significant transport safety challenges,” said Mr Farmer.

"Australia has been developing this package in close consultation with the Indonesian Government," Mr Farmer said. "It is important that we work together to address those areas which Indonesia itself has identified as safety priorities.”

"Australian agencies are already co-operating with Indonesia,” Mr Farmer said. "The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has been working closely with Indonesian authorities following the Yogyakarta tragedy on 7 March and this program will expand the co-operation between our aviation and maritime safety agencies.”

"Both countries lost lives at the Yogyakarta tragedy of 7 March," Mr Farmer said. "This tragedy has galvanised our two nations into further action to demonstrate to the travelling public of our two nations that safety is a priority for us all."

The two Governments have indicated that priority will be given to improving the skills of safety regulators, managers, investigators and air traffic service providers. Recent assessments of transport safety by the Indonesian Government and the International Civil Aviation Organisation will be used to develop the detailed work program and this information will be complemented by the results of joint workshops to be held in Indonesia in coming months.

Mr Farmer emphasised that Australia was interested in working co-operatively with Indonesia to build a safer aviation and maritime environment.

"This is not about instant solutions, but a co-ordinated program to address issues that are important to both countries," Mr Farmer said. "The Australian Government looks forward to working with the Indonesian Government in implementing it."

Further information:
Steven Barraclough (Australian Embassy) mob. 0811993328