We can learn Indonesian, Chinese and other Asian languages. We can also trade and work with those countries. We can also learn from them. However, we should be aware of the differences in our outlooks.

I was taken aback when Keating came back with a treaty signed the then Indonesian government headed by Suharto. The Indonesian army, especially the Australian trained Kopassus Division had committed atrocities including not only their own people and the territories they occupied but also murdering Australian reporters in East Timor. Indonesia possibly will change their educational system in the near future. At present their plan is to replace science, English and social studies with courses in nationalism, the official Indonesian language and religion. Alexander Aan, an Indonesian, stated that he was an atheist on facebook and is serving a term in prison for that 'offense.' It is clear that they are rejecting not only our values and our freedoms but also modernity itself.

Those are internal matters for the Indonesians, but it affects their relations with the outside world. We are in this part of the world, but we do not and should not accept many of their values. I am not a young person, but, if I were and were thinking of my future, I would prefer not to have much to do with Indonesia.

For a thorough critique of "this puffed self-important , childish document" see Binoy Kampmark, Counterpunch, Oct 31,2012.
I fear that this is but a foretaste of the confusion about China in the forthcoming Defence White Paper. Leslie

...The Asian nations are built on crime corruption and drugs, (with a large dose of extortion and slave labour). This is a world Abbott and Howard were prepared to engage, with their innovation of “work choices”. Unfortunately for them their attempts were futile, since Australians (as such), were not prepared to live in cardboard boxes on the streets, as do our Asian neighbors, as the reward for servitude.

...The only true engagement with Asia is on their terms; co-joining in corrupt dealings. Would Australia possess the "bas*@*dry" to slaughter a third of the population of a subservient country like Timor? No, not directly. We have the timidity to stand meekly by and watch others perform the act though… while our beautiful bowing Asian neighbors of Indonesia proved their capability!

...I don’t personally wish to join them thanks all the same Julia. But I am quite happy to support USA in attempts to keep them under control: So my version of Asian engagement extends to more US military bases in the North end of Australia, a sign which may force some subservience from them towards good manners!

David f is absolutely right. Until the Indos get their snouts out of West Papua and punish the protected killers of the East Timorese and of our five journos our links with them should be strictly formal.

Diver dan has posted and to my applause for david f's post may I add applause also to diver dan's?

Until the Indos get their snouts out of West Papua
Emperor Julian,
Isn't that a bit like saying East Coast Australians should get their snouts out of the Pilbara ?

its sad the media dont explain clearly..the adgenda
[for years the decline in teachers capable of teaching
yet suddenly.. hundreds THOUSANDS..will emerge[on special import visa

they will set up 'schols'..looking more like comunes
to sell off cheaop farmland..to foreign developers[on special educator permits..with capital backing..[think like north korea...stealing/abducting 'special japs'... to learn jap cultures

gulages to send outcasts to
or to set a foothold..or just make huge cash incomes for the family trust..look at the language used..look at the reality currently..teachers ..what teachers

ok special skills visa's
and we can loot and plunder them

FIRST TEACH US OUR OWN LANGUAGE!
before thusting the latest fad on us..think emerging the kids in their oparental cultures..would achieve much in a few weeks..than years of govt subsidy..to make it happen..

give kids the right to return home
emmersion learning..not special teachers
teach the kids thier own languages..after they learn this one

Individual writes: “Until the Indos get their snouts out of West Papua − Isn't that a bit like saying East Coast Australians should get their snouts out of the Pilbara ?”

Not really. Might start to get that way if the SAS start torturing and murdering citizens of the Pilbara for seeking the right of self-determination (a right that is currently exercised by their freely accepting Australian rule). The point at issue is whether Australia should integrate with debased regimes in Asia. A non-analogy about democratic Australia ducks it.

...This issue of Asian integration falls into two distinct parts; the first part is trade with Asia. This is the part that makes sense, and without political interference will flourish. This flourishing must be allowed to engage Asia on their own terms, including co-joining with bribery and corruption for advantage.

...The second part gives real cause for concern; political co-joining. This is the part where Asian integration falls into a heap. Politicians live life in a world of Disney Land, fluttering about like fairies touching all with their magical “starry wand”, adversely turning the life of “others” into one of “Sh#t”. This we must resist!

Might start to get that way if the SAS start torturing and murdering citizens of the Pilbara for seeking the right of self-determination
Emperor Julian,
After I wrote my post I showed it to a couple of mates & told them that I expected you to retort in exactly the manner you did. I'll show them your reply tonight.
What your statement fails to mention is that if the indigenous inhabitants started to attack Australian personnel & shoot up Police & Police Stations then we could possibly expect the SAS to act in the same manner as the forces in the country to our north.

Emperor Julian needs to check up on history. The reason West Papua is part of Indonesia is because of direct pressure from the UN with strong support from Australia on the Netherlands to relinquish W Papua to Indonesia. West Papua was finally handed over to the Indonesians in 1963 against protests from the Netherlands and the West Papuan people.

The Netherlands when forced out of Indonesia tried to point out that Indonesia is a big archipelago with diverse peoples with diverse languages and cultures. The Dutch East Indies went from a developing federation under Dutch colonial rule to Javanese colonialism, which is arguably what Indonesia is now.

yvonne,
What descriptive precision, succinctness etc. in such few words. I appreciate that.
Yes many NGO's keep stirring the pot without any thought of how such situations develop.
Bad behaviour can & should never be condoned but neither should serious accusations based on ignorance be allowed to not let wounds heal.

including co-joining with bribery and corruption for advantage.
diver dan,
Bribery is not a fair interpretation. This is how business works in Asia. works being the operative word. In our society we don't refer to it as bribery either, we call it paying for licenses, permits, council fees, this'n that tax, compliance, union pay outs etc. etc.
Our practices are way more corrupt than theirs.