Australian news and politics live: Albanese in Jakarta for formal talks between Australia, Indonesia

Newly elected Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has met with Nationals Leader David Littleproud in Albury, on the NSW-Victoria border.

Ms Ley, now tasked with not only getting the Coalition back on track after a Labor landslide victory but also fostering unity with the Nationals, said the meeting was “respectful”.

The new Opposition Leader would not be drawn on further comment about discussions.

Ms Ley did make general comments though, speaking for the Coalition, talking about the struggles rural Australians face.

“I want to make sure that this Government understands that if the drought is encroaching, they need to be ready with relief, with support and recognition of what our farmers do for all of us,” Ms Ley said.

“As I said, I’m delighted to have returned for the eighth time as the member for Farrah, and I do look forward to connecting ... with the many different and diverse communities with an understanding that every community is different and every community has different needs.”

Anthony Albanese was asked about a letter Yang Hengjun had written to him on the sixth anniversary of the academic and writer’s imprisonment in China.

Dr Yang thanked the Prime Minister and Australian Government for its continued efforts to advocate for his freedom.

“Dear Prime Minister Albanese, words are now failing me. Tears blur my vision. I can only use a silent voice to thank you and all the people who care for and love me,” he wrote.

Mr Albanese confirmed he had read the letter.

“It was a message of profound courage and resilience and hope despite his difficult circumstances,” he said.

“We continue to advocate for Dr Yang’s interests and wellbeing at every opportunity, and I have certainly asked our ambassador to convey that very directly to Dr Yang.”

Mr Albanese faced repeated questioning about the story that emerged during the election campaign that Russia had asked Indonesia if it could base some of its war planes in the archipelagic nation.

Indonesia has said publicly that this will not happen.

Mr Albanese repeatedly said the Indonesian position is public, and refuses to add much more to that.

“Russia, of course, will try to increase its influence,” he said.

“We make very clear our position when it comes to Russia around the world.

“It’s not for me to comment on what occurred between countries that are not Australia.”

The Indonesian side has raised expectations that a number of agreements will be signed after the formal talks on Thursday.

Mr Albanese says these will go to further strengthening the defence ties between the two countries and building on the economic partnership by increasing investment.

On both fronts, this will involve investing in capability and relationships at personal, organisational and national levels.

“For example, there are some defence training exercises taking place in Australia from the Indonesian military. That’s an important, practical way that we step forward,” Mr Albanese said.

“When I was last minister in the government, we provided extensive training in maritime, in aviation, in security-related matters, and an organisation like AMSA (the Australian Maritime Safety Authority), for a country like Indonesia, which is an archipelago of islands, maritime security and maritime issues are particularly important.

“So, we can play a really important role there.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is now addressing media in Jakarta, where he is meeting Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

He says he wanted to once again make his first overseas visit to Indonesia because of the importance of the relationship, particularly for Australia’s defence and economic security. It’s his fourth trip to Indonesia as leader.

The President made a surprise visit to the PM’s hotel last night, and Mr Albanese said they had an informal chat along with their foreign ministers, ahead of this morning’s more formal talks.

“The economic relationship between our two countries, I think, will continue to grow,” Mr Albanese said.

“It’s important to recognise… that, of course, Indonesia isn’t just Jakarta or Java. It is the extraordinary archipelago, the diverse country and the extraordinary nation that represents one of the world’s largest democracies.”

Former Liberal MP Rory Amon, who is awaiting trial on 10 charges relating to the alleged sexual assault of a 13-year-old boy, was arrested again in Sydney on Wednesday for breaking bail conditions.

“A man will face court today charged with breaching bail conditions in Sydney,” a NSW Police spokesperson said.

“About 10pm on Wednesday 14 May 2025, officers attached to Sydney City Police Area Command arrested a 35-year-old man at Day Street Police Station after he allegedly breached his bail conditions.”

Mr Amon was refused bail and is set to appear before the Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday.

The former Liberal MP for Pittwater was arrested in August and charged with a series of offences, including five counts of sexual intercourse with a person over the age of 10 and under 14.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will look to deepen defence and investment ties with Indonesia in upcoming talks with the nation’s President Prabowo Subianto.

The Prime Minister will meet face-to-face with Mr Prabowo in Jakarta on Thursday, in his first overseas trip since Labor’s landslide election victory.

Mr Albanese will travel with Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke.

The Prime Minister flagged the Australia-Indonesia defence co-operation agreement, signed last August, would be a priority.

“There’s substantial progress that’s been made already, particularly in the area of maritime, and one of the things that we’ll be discussing as well is that progress going forward,” he told reporters in Perth.

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It’s not easy being Green after losing several seats and a party leader at the federal election.

But those who remain are preparing to choose a replacement and reflect on lessons from the campaign.

Adam Bandt, who had led the minor party since 2020, lost his seat of Melbourne on May 3.

The shock defeat ended Mr Bandt’s 15-year career in federal parliament.

His colleagues will meet in the Victorian capital on Thursday as they begin to pick up the pieces.

South Australian senator Sarah Hanson-Young and Mehreen Faruqi from NSW are expected to contest the Greens leadership.

Queensland senator Larissa Waters has not ruled out a tilt.

There are reports emerging that all three women could share a co-leader role.

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