Indonesia and Australia sign agreement to co-operate on improving transport safety

The Governments of Australia and the Republic of Indonesia today signed a landmark agreement to work together to improve Indonesia’s transport safety.

Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia places great importance on our close relationship with Indonesia and the agreements we have signed today will broaden the levels of co-operation to the benefit of both countries.

“I am honoured to be able to visit Indonesia so early in my term as Minister to work towards building on that relationship,” said Mr Albanese.

Mr Albanese and the Indonesian Minister for Transportation, Jusman Syafi’i Djamal, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Co-operation in the Transport Sector during a ceremony in Jakarta today.

The Memorandum of Understanding provides the basis for expanding the existing co-operative relationship between Australia and Indonesia.

The Ministers also signed an Annex to the Memorandum of Understanding, establishing the terms for a bilateral package of assistance on transport safety.

Mr Albanese noted the key role of transport to economic growth and development in the region and emphasised it was vital that our transport systems are safe, efficient and secure.

“It is essential the travelling public of both countries have confidence that transport safety is a priority and that lessons from previous transport accidents are being acted upon,” said Mr Albanese.

“Australia’s assistance will complement the substantial efforts that the Government of the Republic of Indonesia has already taken to improve the safety of their transport services.”

Under the agreement Australia will provide almost Rp 200 billion [$24 million] over three years for a package of training and technical assistance, helping to improve Indonesian transport safety.

“Australia has worked closely with the Government of Indonesia to develop a package of measures to address areas identified by Indonesia as its key safety priorities,” said Mr Albanese.

Mr Albanese indicated that projects to be undertaken as part of the assistance package will include:

Training of up to 40 Indonesian airworthiness inspectors per year to international standards for the duration of the package;
Mentoring and training in air traffic management services;
Provision of expertise and guidance on transport safety investigations to enhance Indonesia’s capacity to undertake investigations of transport accidents; and
Transfer of technical knowledge and expertise to Indonesian Search and Rescue Operators, ferry operators and maritime vehicle inspection staff.

“Australia’s Rp 200 billion [$24 million] safety assistance package paves the way for even greater goodwill and cooperation between Australia and Indonesia on a range of future transport issues,” said Mr Albanese.

Further information:
Fiona Hoggart (Australian Embassy, Jakarta) hp. 0812 1053 989