Media Release
20 May 2024
The Governor-General of Australia, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley visited Indonesia from 14-17 May.
The Governor-General, as guest of His Excellency the Honourable Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, attended an official welcome, tree planting, tête-à-tête and state banquet at the Presidential Palace in Bogor.
He also met Minister for Defence and President-Elect of the Republic of Indonesia, HE Prabowo Subianto. It has been 50 years since Governor-General Hurley and HE Prabowo Subianto together participated in the first cadet exchange between the Indonesian Military Academy (then AKABRI) and Australia’s Royal Military College Duntroon.
The Governor-General discussed the strength of bilateral defence ties with the Senior Advisory Group of the Defence Alumni Association of Indonesia - Australia (IKAHAN). Governor-General Hurley was instrumental in founding IKAHAN while a senior military officer in the Australian Defence Force.
The Governor-General provided remarks at a Gala Dinner in Jakarta celebrating 75 years of Australia-Indonesia diplomatic relations, alongside senior Australian alumnus and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, HE Airlangga Hartarto. The Governor-General, Mrs Hurley and Coordinating Minister Airlangga presented the 2024 Australian Alumni Awards to outstanding alumni.
While in Jakarta, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley also met participants of the Australia-Indonesia Muslim Exchange Program and Australia-Indonesia Youth Exchange Program, met students and teachers at a BRIDGE partnership school (SMAN 54), and at the ASEAN Secretariat viewed a photo exhibition marking 50 years of the ASEAN-Australia partnership.
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Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBr8Mt