Journal of Social Political Sciences JSPS Vol. 2, No. 2, May, 2021 ISSN: 2715-7539 (Online) 190 LONGING FOR KEVIN RUDD AND HIS LEGACY IN IMPROVING AUSTRALIA-INDONESIA RELATIONS Harry Darmawan Department of International Relations, Faculty of Social & Political Sciences, Universitas Nasional. Jakarta, Indonesia. Email : hdarmawan@civitas.unas.ac.id Abstract : Indonesia misses Kevin Rudd's figure. The emergence and victory of Kevin Rudd in the 2007 Australian elections seemed to be a speck of light in the improvement of bilateral relations between Australia and Indonesia at that time. He succeeded in turning Australia's foreign policy into a more humanist and Asia- centric direction. A thing that was previously very rare in the era of Prime Minister John Howard. Various policies were able to reconcile the romanticism of Garuda and the Kangaroo, which is the largest ruler in Southeast Asia and the Oceania Zone. This paper examines the dynamics of Kevin Rudd's victory in the 2007 Australian Election, as well as his golden legacy in fighting for harmonization of relations between Australia and Indonesia. Keywords: Kevin Rudd, Australian Labor Party, Australia-Indonesia Relations Submission : Feb, 11th 2020 Revision : April 18th 2021 Publication : May 28th 2021 INTRODUCTION The Australian Labor Party's victory in the general elections in Australia at the end of 2007 brought a change in the direction of Australian foreign policy, in particular Australia's orientation towards Asia. It cannot be denied that the appointment of Kevin Rudd from the Australian Labor Party as Prime Minister of Australia replacing John Howard, who is a representative of the Liberal-National Party coalition, gives a distinction which is also supported by the progress and career of Kevin Rudd, who has served as a diplomat in China and is fluent. in using mandarin (antaranews, 2007) , so that he can understand Asia more wisely when compared to the previous Prime Minister, John Howard. This at a certain point also gave rise to new hopes for the Southeast Asian region, especially Indonesia, to improve the bilateral relations between Australia and Indonesia to be even better than in previous periods. This was fulfilled when Indonesia hosted the International Conference on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in December 2007 in Bali. The conference forum was Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's mailto:hdarmawan@civitas.unas.ac.id Journal of Social Political Sciences JSPS Vol. 2, No. 2, May, 2021 ISSN: 2715-7539 (Online) 191 visit abroad which was also Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's first visit to Indonesiai. Indonesia's choice as the first country visited by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd signals the importance of Australia-Indonesia relations and reflects the strong desire of the Australian side to improve existing relations. In a report released by Radio Australia in 2008 linked to ABC Australia media, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said that Indonesia's choice as the first country to be visited by Australian leaders was a tradition for Australian leaders like himself and his predecessor from the Labor Party, Paul. Keating and Bob Hawke (radioaustralia, 2007). Therefore, it is very important and strategic to know the dynamics of the victory of Kevin Rudd and the Australian Labor Party in the 2007 General Elections, as well as its positive impact on the repertoire of bilateral relations between Australia and Indonesia. METHOD In this study, the authors used a qualitative approach in the data search process, using archival sources, books, and interviews with the Australian Embassy in Jakarta. The written writing uses a descriptive-analytical method that will be able to describe what is described in the above theme. RESULT AND DISCUSSION Kevin Rudd and his Efforts in Harmonizing Australian Relations The Victory of the Australian Labor Party and PM Kevin Rudd's Direction of Foreign Policy Towards Indonesia The 2007 Australian Elections and Kevin Rudd's emergence 2007 was a very relaxing year for the Australian Labor Party. This is because in that year the Australian Labor Party won the general election after previously having had to recognize the superiority of the coalition of the Liberal-National Party led by John Howard for eleven years. This victory then led Kevin Rudd as prime minister of Australia to replace John Howard who led Australia in the period 1997-2006. According to information released by the Australia Electoral Commission, which was later quoted by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, it was noted that in the 2007 general elections, the Australian Labor Party was able to achieve a figure of 52.9% at the federal level while the Liberal-National Party coalition only won 47.1% votes (Kompas, 2008). With a figure of 52.9% which indirectly shows the dominance of the Australian Labor Party at the federal level, then the party gets at least 76 parliamentary seats, or more than the seats won by the Liberal-National Party of 48 out of the total 150 seats contested(Kompas, 2008). This figure is more than enough for the Australian Labor Party to be able to nominate candidates from its other parties for Journal of Social Political Sciences JSPS Vol. 2, No. 2, May, 2021 ISSN: 2715-7539 (Online) 192 the position of the prime minister of Australia. John Howard, who carried the theme "The Right Leadership" in the 2007 elections, frankly acknowledged the victory achieved by Kevin Rudd and the Australian Labor Party at that time. He quickly issued a congratulatory statement to his political opponent and one of them was revealed in his remarks: “I congratulate Kevin Rudd and the Australian Labor Party (ALP) on their victory, and I wish him well as Australia's 26th prime minister and wish him success in carrying out his future duties.,". The defeat of the Liberal-National Party coalition in the general elections in Australia in 2007 has been predicted by many political observers in the “kangaroo” country. This can be seen at least in the results of a survey conducted by ACNielsen which was published by The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper a few months before the general election, which illustrates a consistent increase in the election of the Australian Labor Party and vice versa a decrease in the Liberal- National Party coalition. In the survey, data was obtained that out of 1,410 respondents surveyed by ACNielsen, 46% said they would vote for the Australian Labor Party and only about 38% would vote for the Liberal-National Party coalition. Prime Minister John Howard also seemed to confirm existing predictions, especially regarding the fate of his party at that time. John Howard's conviction is evident in the statement: “We are still lagging despite a slight improvement in the polls whose results were announced (Monday) this morning. We are still big losers if the (result of) polls are repeated in the General Election," (Radio Australia, 2019). Although in the next few weeks when the survey was carried out there was a 3% increase in the figure for the Liberal-National Party coalition, it still did not exceed the target figure achieved by the Australian Labor Party. This was then truly proven when the Australian Electoral Commission finally issued an announcement certifying the victory of the Australian Labor Party from the Liberal-National Party coalition in the 2007 general election. The prediction of the defeat suffered by the Liberal-National Party coalition is inseparable from the political developments and domestic issues that occurred in Australia, especially towards 2007. According to the Professor. David Reeve, at least several things can then be used as indicators of the alleged defeat of the Liberal-Nationalist Party in the 2007 general elections. Among them are domestic issues that are correlated with foreign issues, the saturation of Australian society, and the desire for change (Radio Australia, 2019). One of the growing issues in the country is the issue of employment, especially regarding the Work Choices adopted by the Government of Prime Minister John Howard and attitudes towards Aboriginal people. The issue of Work Choices itself surfaced after the Government Journal of Social Political Sciences JSPS Vol. 2, No. 2, May, 2021 ISSN: 2715-7539 (Online) 193 of Prime Minister John Howard gave a regulation that freed companies to regulate working hours and imposed penalties or fines for their employees in 2005 at the suggestion of one of its ministers, Kevin Andrew. This is considered by workers in Australia as a pro-business policy, resulting in a sense of displeasure with John Howard. On the other hand, the Australian Labor Party took advantage of this by promising to abolish the Work Choices policy as one of its campaign themes at that time(Radio Australia, 2019). Apart from the issue of Work Choices, Prime Minister John Howard's attitude towards Aboriginal people is also a hot topic of its own. In the run-up to the 2007 general elections, there was a growing discourse on the need for an apology demanded by Aboriginal people from the Australian government. It seems that John Howard has been slow in responding to this issue, so then Kevin Rudd and the Australian Labor Party tried to take the theme by promising a direct apology and greater compensation if he succeeded in defeating the Liberal-National Party coalition. This was realized by Kevin Rudd in early 2008 after serving as Prime Minister of Australia by delivering an official apology speech to the Aborigines which later became a historic moment for the life of the Australian people. The contents of the speech are excerpts: ...“That today we honor the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history...We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were Stolen Generations - this blemished chapter in our nation's history...We apologize for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering, and loss on our fellow Australians...We apologize for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities, and their country...” (Radio Australia, 2019) Apart from the issues regarding Work Choice’s and Aboriginalism which brought a lot of sympathy to the Australian Labor Party, Prof. David Reeve also believed that at that time the Australian people had the perception that the leadership of Prime Minister John Howard and the Liberal-Nationalist Party coalition had taken too long, so it seemed stiff, out of touch, and out of ideas. The presence of Kevin Rudd at that time was considered by some in Australia as a smart reformer and full of brilliant ideas that generated interest in the Australian community. In addition, Kevin Rudd's long career as a diplomat in Asia and mastering Mandarin was deemed more suitable than John Howard's character who was old and too dependent on the United States so that the impression of Prime Minister John Howard was the deputy sheriff of the United States in Asia(fnf, 2019). Journal of Social Political Sciences JSPS Vol. 2, No. 2, May, 2021 ISSN: 2715-7539 (Online) 194 PM Kevin Rudd's Foreign Policy Orientation towards Indonesia After being elected Prime Minister of Australia on 24 November 2007, Kevin Rudd immediately agreed to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's invitation to attend the climate change conference which took place in December 2007 in Bali. This invitation was conveyed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono via a direct telephone line from Indonesia as well as congratulating Kevin Rudd on the election of Kevin Rudd as the new Prime Minister of Australia. The remarks expressed by President Yudhoyono were the first talks Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had with fellow heads of state and marked a good start in building the direction of the Australia-Indonesia bilateral relationship. The rapid communication initiated by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono by contacting Prime Minister Kevin Rudd found a place that was deep enough for the Australian prime minister. Through news published on the official website of the President of the Republic of Indonesia on December 11, 2007, it was explained that during his visit to the climate change conference in Bali in December 2007, Kevin Rudd broadly outlined his plans to improve Australia-Indonesia relations in several sectors such as trade, law, and security. In the economic sector, he said he would increase the value of investment and trade with Indonesia, while in the legal and security sector Kevin Rudd promised to immediately ratify the Lombok Agreement and enforce the law on the issue of illegal immigrants. This is inseparable from Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's impression of the Indonesian leader which was reflected in the sentence: “President SBY has started the pulse of Australia-Indonesia relations via his telephone one hour after the election took place a few months ago”(fnf, 2019). Prime Minister Kevin Rudd later proved this good impression by returning to Indonesia in mid-2008. During his official visit, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono agreed to sign a Cooperation for Climate Change and Forest Conservation and Carbon Trading. In addition, as reported by BBC Indonesia on June 13, 2008, the meeting between the Australian and Indonesian leaders also agreed to start talks on the discourse of forming the Asia- Pacific Bloc and countering terrorism. The discourse on the formation of the Asia- Pacific Bloc that was initiated by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd shows the orientation of his government which prioritizes strengthening regional stability both in the northern region of Asia and also the south or the Pacific and its surroundings which is based on the geographical location of Australia which is within the scope of Asia and the Pacific. The implementation of policies that were oriented by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd towards Indonesia, especially in 2008, has increased quite rapidly. At least this was obtained from the high intensity of visits by ministerial-level officials between Journal of Social Political Sciences JSPS Vol. 2, No. 2, May, 2021 ISSN: 2715-7539 (Online) 195 the two countries. The Australian Foreign Minister at that time, Stephen Smith stated that in 2008 there were at least 29 visits by ministerial-level officials, both from Australia and Indonesia. This visit was coupled with the arrival of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd twice to Indonesia, namely in June and on 9-10 December 2008 in a Democracy Forum which was also attended by the Prime Minister of Timor Leste, Xanana Gusmao, and Sultan Hasanal Bolkiah from Brunei Darussalam. The presence of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at the forum signaled the support given by Australia to Indonesia in its efforts to build a democratic situation in the region, one of which is indirectly correlated with the political stability and security of Australia itself. Regarding the orientation carried out by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd towards Indonesia during the period 2007-2010, it can be categorized into several sectors that the prime minister who is fluent in Mandarin often said. These sectors include the fields of politics-economy, law-security as well as environment and culture which are summarized in the "Australia-Indonesia Development Cooperation Strategy 2008-2013" and indirectly reflect the importance of Indonesia as a friend of Australia-based policies issued by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. In the cooperation strategy, there are at least four main pillars that are used as the basis for Australian policy orientation towards Indonesia, namely sustainable growth and economic management, investment for human development, democracy, justice, and good governance, and regional peace and security. The Government of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd tried to lower these pillars in several agreements or collaborations that were not only initiated by the prime minister but also by his ministers. In 2008, at least several ministers from both sides visited each other to design various plans to improve Australia-Indonesia bilateral relations. From the Australian side, there are at least Minister of Foreign Affairs Stephen Smith, Minister of Trade Simon Crea,n and Minister of Defense Joel Fitzgibbon. Meanwhile, from the Indonesian side, there were several ministers such as Foreign Minister Hasan Wirajuda, Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono, Trade Minister Marie Pangestu, Minister of Agriculture Anton Apriantono, Minister of Maritime Affairs Freddy Number, Menkumham Andi Matalatta, and also Minister of National Education Bambang Sudibyo. The high volume of visits is expected to produce consistency in the intensity of bilateral relations which is then reflected in the following explanation: Legal and Security Affairs Journal of Social Political Sciences JSPS Vol. 2, No. 2, May, 2021 ISSN: 2715-7539 (Online) 196 The leadership of Prime Minister Kevin Ruud and his Australian Labor Party in the Australian government, particularly concerning the orientation towards Indonesia in the field of law, has resulted in several decisions and agreements that have been quite effective in increasing the intensity of Australia-Indonesia bilateral relations. Ratification of the Lombok Treaty, which was previously agreed in the era of Prime Minister John Howard's leadership, was able to be ratified by the Australian and Indonesian parties so that both parties could immediately implement it in 2008(David, 2013). The implementation of the Lombok Treaty itself takes at least two years since the agreement was made in 2006. Each country takes two years to then be ratified and approved by elements of the competent institutions either in Australia or Indonesia. On February 7, 2008, through a meeting held in Perth, Australia, between Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith and Indonesian Foreign Minister Hasan Wirajuda, the two parties finally agreed to enforce the Lombok Treaty through an exchange of diplomatic notes on the Australia-Indonesia Security Agreement signed by the two the minister(David, 2013). There are at least 10 points of strengthening agreed upon by Australia and Indonesia regarding the implementation of the Lombok Treaty. These points are defense, law enforcement, counterterrorism, intelligence, maritime security, aviation safety and security, prevention of weapons of mass destruction, emergency cooperation, cooperation in world organizations on security issues, and cooperation between people. Minister of Foreign Affairs Stephen Smith said that Australia would, without a doubt, be happy to enforce this security agreement, especially as an appreciation of the efforts made by Indonesia in eradicating acts of terrorism that have been rife since the 2000s. According to Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, Australia is very pleased with what the Indonesian government has done, which has arrested and sentenced no less than 400 people who have been indicated and proven to have committed acts of terrorism. Therefore Australia, according to Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, has an interest in creating a sense of security and safety for all citizens of the world, he said, the commitment of Indonesia, Australia, and the international community in eradicating the dangers of terrorism needs to be continued because this will help create safe conditions(David, 2013). The existence of ten points agreed upon by Australia and Indonesia regarding the implementation of the Lombok Treaty is a real orientation step taken by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd towards Indonesia. This step is primarily a strengthening to stem two issues that are often a threat to the stability of the two countries, namely the issue of terrorism and illegal immigrants. As it is known that for decades Australia has been a destination for illegal immigrants due to the promising Journal of Social Political Sciences JSPS Vol. 2, No. 2, May, 2021 ISSN: 2715-7539 (Online) 197 economic conditions of Australia. In addition, the occurrence of the World Trade Center attack in America in 2001 indirectly gave birth to radical movements which at some point also targeted Australians as targets of attack. This was at least seen in the bomb detonation in Bali in 2002 and 2004 and the bombing at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta in 2005. These incidents were a reflection for Australia and Indonesia to raise awareness, which was then realized during Kevin Rudd's leadership in the implementation of the Lombok Treaty. which indirectly aims to minimize the consequences caused by acts of terrorism itself. On the other hand, the presence of illegal immigrants, the majority of whom crossed Indonesian territory before arriving in Australia, made this problem often a stumbling block for the Australia-Indonesia bilateral relationship. Australia itself is already bound by an agreement signed by its leader in the 1951 Geneva Convention which regulates the issue of refugees, therefore based on this agreement Australia inevitably has to accept the arrival of refugees who come to their territory. This is different from Indonesia which has not ratified the 1951 Geneva Convention so that Indonesia does not yet have a strong legal umbrella from an international point of view in overcoming the problem of displacement(David, 2013). Based on this experience, in 2007 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd offered Indonesia to join the Asia Regional Trafficking in People (ARTIP) which is directly managed by Aus Aid to stop illegal immigrants or people smuggling in the Asia Pacific(David, 2013). In addition to the Lombok Treaty which is evidence of the seriousness of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's government in improving the orientation of its bilateral relations with Indonesia in law enforcement and security midwives, there is also a concept of agreement called the Australia Indonesia Partnership for Justice (AIPJ) or the Australia Indonesia Partnership for Justice which was agreed upon. since 2008. The existence of the Australia Indonesia Partnership for Justice (AIPJ) allows for cooperation between legal institutions in Australia and Indonesia. Several legal institutions are listed as active partners in this agency including the Indonesian Supreme Court, the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights, the Police, the Judicial Commission, the KPK, and several others. This agency in particular is part of a series of agreements agreed upon by Australia and Indonesia in the 'Australia-Indonesia Development Cooperation Strategy 2008-2013' which was adopted in mid-2008 and continues to be evaluated and improved in 2009 or 2010. Australia Indonesia Partnership for Justice (AIPJ) mainly focuses on issues of providing information on legal matters. In addition, it also allows communication of legal aid to individuals from both countries, especially those who are experiencing legal problems. Journal of Social Political Sciences JSPS Vol. 2, No. 2, May, 2021 ISSN: 2715-7539 (Online) 198 Regarding the issue of law enforcement and security in the context of the Australia-Indonesia bilateral, the problem of Illegal Fishing is also one of the hot issues that the two governments are trying to solve. In the ministerial meeting between the ministers from Australia and Indonesia, the problem of Illegal Fishing is seen as a common problem that must get attention and joint action to avoid misunderstandings between the two countries regarding the handling of this issue. The two countries agree on a linkage in handling the issue referred to as transnational organized crimes, so it is necessary to explore ways and steps for handling it effectively and consistently through joint patrols between Australian and Indonesian officials. In addition, the two countries noted the need to develop innovative ways to advance all aspects of fisheries management as stated in the 1974 MoU Box by recognizing the interests of Indonesian traditional fishermen and the sustainability of fishery resources which have become a commodity not only for Australia or Indonesia but has become a commodity. international commodity(David, 2013). Mou Box 1974 itself is an agreement between Australia- Indonesia which was approved by the parliaments of each country in 1974 after previously being initiated by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and President Soeharto. Based on the agreement, Australia recognizes the basic rights of Indonesian fishermen to look for fish or marine commodities and allows Indonesian fishermen who mainly come from eastern Indonesia to stop or do activities in several islands that are included in the Australian administration to refuel, freshwater, or search for sea commodity(David, 2013). Some of the areas or islands that are allowed include the Scott Islands, Oftenapatam, Browse Island, Ashmore Coral Islands, Cartier Island, and the surrounding waters. The presence of Mou Box 1974 continues to be controlled by either the Australian Government or the Indonesian Government to this day. Continuous control is intended to minimize illegal fishing of marine commodities and also maintain the safety of the crews who go to sea(David, 2013). Economic Affairs Australia under the leadership of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd realizes Indonesia's great potential in the economic sector, especially with the facts presented by the presence of a population of more than 230 million people. This figure is certainly potential in itself for Australia about the marketing interests of Australian economic products which are well known for producing livestock or mining commodities. In 2007, during the transition from the Liberal-National coalition government to the Labor Party government, there was an important moment in the bilateral context of the Australian economy, especially in the trade sector which was Journal of Social Political Sciences JSPS Vol. 2, No. 2, May, 2021 ISSN: 2715-7539 (Online) 199 attended by the Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia Marie Elka Pangestu and the Australian Minister of Trade Warren Trust. In a press release issued by the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra at the end of 2007, it was explained that the ministerial-level meeting which took place in Jakarta had resulted in an agreement regarding the AUSTRALIA-INDONESIA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT JOINT FEASIBILITY STUDY which allowed for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Australia and Indonesia(Arnold, 2014). With an agreement for an intensive exploration that will be carried out by both parties, it is hoped that there will be consistency in increasing trade and investment that is widespread. This exploratory study not only involves relevant officials from the Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Industry, or Ministry of Foreign Affairs but also involves academics or experts as well as business people who have been active in Australia or Indonesia (presidenri, 2007). At the meeting, it was also agreed that six principles would be implemented by Australia and Indonesia in exploratory efforts towards free trade between the two countries. The six principles are: 1. The two sides should negotiate as equal partners; 2. Negotiations should take into account that the two countries are at different stages of economic development and have different comparative advantages and adjustment costs; 3. Negotiations should be comprehensive, covering liberalization and facilitation of goods and services trade across all sectors and liberalization and protection of investment. Negotiations should seek to achieve a balanced outcome through a single undertaking; 4. An FTA must be consistent with WTO rules, APEC’s principles and goals for trade and investment liberalization, and the respective commitments of both countries under the AANZFTA; 5. An FTA would need to include arrangements to facilitate dispute settlement mechanisms; and 6. An FTA should deliver significant outcomes for both parties as soon as it enters into force (Arnold, 2007). These six principles appear to be connected indirectly to the system recognized by the international community, such as in agreement with the values contained in the World Trade Organization agreement, following the principles of APEC, and the potential for international liberalization so that it will become an integral part of world economic development. The Australian side believes that if the exploration is seriously carried out, within a few years a Free Trade Agreement between Australia and Indonesia will occur. This was reflected in the comments issued by the Australian Minister of Trade at the time: Journal of Social Political Sciences JSPS Vol. 2, No. 2, May, 2021 ISSN: 2715-7539 (Online) 200 “I welcome the report from the Trade and Investment Framework expert group including recommendations that Australia and Indonesia undertake a feasibility study on a bilateral free trade agreement. These recommendations will be considered by our leaders” (Arnold, 2007). Although the agreement agreed in 2007 was still limited to an agreement to explore each other, this is a positive increase in the Australia-Indonesia bilateral realm, especially in increasing the volume of trade and investment between the two countries. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd who comes from the Australian Labor Party has the idea to create an Australian Asia Pacific community and the economy is one of the focuses in that community. When examined, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's policy is the hallmark of a policy that seems to carry on what his predecessors worked on, such as the idea of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference (PECC) and in the late 1980s and the establishment of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) which formed in 1989. Based on this concept, it can be assessed that Indonesia is an important part of the design and this can be seen from the increase in the value of trade between Australia and Indonesia during the era of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's leadership. Trade between Australia and Indonesia can at least be divided into two groups, namely the Oil and Gas and Non-Oil and Gas sectors. Based on trade balance data obtained from the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia, 2007-2010 has been good years in the context of the Australia-Indonesia bilateral. In 2007 alone, the period from January to December was 6,398,695.3 (in US'S 000). This figure then increased to 8,108,503.6 in 2008. This figure is a combination of transactions in the oil and gas sector of 2,020,496 and the non-oil and gas sector of 6,088,007. in 2009 there was a decrease to 6,700,298.6 but this decrease was more due to the lower trade transactions resulting from the crisis at that time, and in 2010 this figure then rose again to the level of 8,343,349 resulting from the oil and gas sector transactions. amounting to 1,887,558 and the non-oil and gas sector contributed 6,456,276(Presidenri, 2007). The oil and gas sector that dominates trade in Australia and Indonesia includes commodities such as gold, oxides of boron, boric acids, copper stranded wire, cables, plaited bands, not elect insulated, while outside the oil and gas sector there are at least commodities such as cattle, basic materials. cloth, milk, or also wheat. Data from the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia also explains that the trend of Indonesian exports from 2007-2011 reached 10.81% which made Australia one of fifteen countries as a destination for Indonesian exports. Meanwhile, based on data for the same year period, it was found that the figure Journal of Social Political Sciences JSPS Vol. 2, No. 2, May, 2021 ISSN: 2715-7539 (Online) 201 was 11.78% which made Indonesia in the eighth position as a trading destination country for Australian economic commodities. Australia, in the era of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's leadership, has consistently succeeded in increasing the number of Australian investments in Indonesia, which mainly spreads to several fields such as mining, animal husbandry, plantations, and education. In 2009, it was known that there were 69 Australian investment projects in Indonesia with a value of US $ 134.5 million. This figure increased in 2010 to the US $ 214.2 million with the expansion of the project points to 92 projects or an increase of 23 projects from the previous year(Presidenri, 2007). The increase in trade value between Australia and Indonesia during the era of Prime Minister Rudd's government shows the effectiveness of the approach taken to Indonesia. Through soft diplomacy and prioritizing the closeness of brotherhood Australia can build a condition that is then correlated with the confidence of the business world to increase the value of trade and investment with Indonesia. Environment and Social Affairs Environmental and social issues are issues that are also part of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's attention. Since being elected Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd has often shown his concern for environmental care and social welfare. This can be seen from the actions taken by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd by attending the Climate Conference in December 2007 in Bali which was also his first overseas trip. In this visit, he also officially signed a document stating that Australia has officially ratified the Kyoto Protocol and is ready to implement it. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has also specifically assigned a minister in his cabinet who is in charge of dealing with climate change issues (bbc, 2008). The presence of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in Bali to participate in the Conference on Climate Change on the other hand has its meaning in the realm of the Australia- Indonesia bilateral. The positive paradigm shown by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd by attending directly gave a good view of the Indonesian government. Australia's intensive attention to Indonesia in the environmental and social sector is at least evident in the document "Australia-Indonesia Development Cooperation Strategy 2008-2013". In this document, Australia specifically gives priority to five provinces in Indonesia, namely Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, Papua, West Papua, West Nusa Tenggara, and East Nusa Tenggara(bbc, 2008). Australia also highlighted rampant illegal logging in the Kalimantan region which is thought to harm the surrounding environment. Australia, through its donor agency AusAid, has also consistently provided grants or assistance to Indonesia to rehabilitate environmental quality caused by Journal of Social Political Sciences JSPS Vol. 2, No. 2, May, 2021 ISSN: 2715-7539 (Online) 202 intentional or natural disasters. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has provided at least 2.5 billion Australian dollars to help Indonesia manage the environment and matters related to this sector. According to documents published by AusAid through The Australian Aid Program in Indonesia, since the reign of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at least Australia has carried out several assistance measures such as providing special training to 5000 health and environmental workers in East Nusa Tenggara, providing clean water facilities for 82,000 poor people. , as well as providing financial assistance to the victims of the Mount Merapi natural disaster, totaling 4800 people so that they can organize their homes and their environment(bbc, 2008). The assistance provided by Australia in the environmental sector is trying to collaborate with things such as health or education which it considers to be strongly connected to creating healthy environmental governance. One of them was seen in 2008 when Australia collaborated with the Ministry of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia to build 500 Madrasahs at the Tsanawiyah, Ibtidaiyah, and Aliyah levels to achieve the target of nine-year compulsory education. Australia at least provides 35% of the funds needed for the construction of these Madrasas. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is well aware of the need for people-to-people contact between Australia and Indonesia, therefore in addition to the financial assistance provided by the Australian Government, he also took the initiative to design a BRIDGE (Building Relationships through Intercultural Dialogue and Growing Engagement) program. This program is a knowledge enhancement and mutual understanding program between Australia and Indonesia through school-to- school partnerships that connect students in both countries through the use of internet technology. Until now, this program has been running in at least 10 provinces: South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, DKI Jakarta, Banten, Central Java, Yogyakarta, East Java, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, and South Sulawesi (Antara, 2008). Entering 2010, the Australian Prime Minister under the leadership of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd also showed his good faith in the context of enhancing bilateral relations between Australia and Indonesia by inviting President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to attend Australia and addressing the Australian parliament on March 10, 2010. This is a policy that was greeted with high enthusiasm by Indonesia because the opportunity to address directly in front of Australian parliamentarians was a rare opportunity and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono became the first President of the Republic of Indonesia to receive this honor. In his speech before members of the Australian parliament, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed his intention to maintain good Journal of Social Political Sciences JSPS Vol. 2, No. 2, May, 2021 ISSN: 2715-7539 (Online) 203 Australia-Indonesia relations and increase cooperation related to extradition and people smuggling, cooperation in the fields of tourism, forestry, and education. Through the news broadcast by the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd praised the contents of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's speech and the agreement reached by Australia and Indonesia to improve the existing closeness of relations. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd also praised President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's leadership in maintaining the climate of democracy in Indonesia and the speed and accuracy in combating terrorists and overcoming natural disasters(Ausaid, 2008). CONCLUSION Several policies carried out by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd towards Indonesia on the one hand have succeeded in restoring Indonesia's confidence to return to a more intensive relationship, by emphasizing effective cooperation and involving the public or the wider community from these two countries. Various improvements have occurred in this bilateral relationship, some of which are in the fields of security, economy, and humanity which should be a turning point in the harmony of the two countries. The next interesting thing that deserves attention, will this increase be effective and stable in the following periods ?? Of course, it will be a very interesting follow-up study to be discussed sustainably and sustainably. However, it is important to always maintain the stability of Australia and Indonesia relations. The stability of this relationship has an indirect strategic meaning in the stability of the region, especially Southeast Asia and Oceania. 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