Australian Ambassador visits eastern Indonesia

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Greg Moriarty, began a visit to eastern Indonesia today starting in Makassar, South Sulawesi. The visit reinforces the significant historical relationship between Makassar and Australia.

Ambassador Moriarty will meet senior local government figures, Australian alumni, and attend a performance by renowned Indigenous Australian singer, Gurrumul, who is performing for the first time at the Makassar Jazz Festival.

“Traders from Makassar first made contact with Australia in the 1700s,” said Ambassador Moriarty. “This trip provides an opportunity to commemorate these historical ties and deepen people-to-people links between our two countries.”

Ambassador Moriarty will visit an Australian-funded water hibah project in Bantimurung, South Sulawesi, which aims to increase the number of low-income households with access to piped water and sewerage.

Ambassador Moriarty will then visit Indonesia’s Papua province as part of Australia’s long-term support for economic development in eastern Indonesia.

In Papua province, the Ambassador will meet local government officials, business people and Australian alumni, as well as visit health centres, schools and development projects funded by the Australian Government.

“Australia is working with the Indonesian Government, the provincial governments and local governments to support development in the Papuan provinces,” said Ambassador Moriarty.

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