Mr ROSS CAMERON (2:36 PM) —My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Following the Prime Minister's meeting in New York yesterday with Indonesian President Wahid, could the minister update the House on developments in Australia's relationship with Indonesia.

Mr DOWNER (Minister for Foreign Affairs) —I thank the member for Parramatta for his question. I appreciate the interest he shows in the important relationship between Australia and Indonesia. As the House knows, the government regards our relationship with Indonesia as one of our most important bilateral relationships and, as the House also knows, that relationship has been through a difficult period as a result of events in East Timor last year.

Nevertheless, during this year there have been numerous contacts between this government and the government of Indonesia. The latest of those contacts was a meeting between the Prime Minister and President Wahid of Indonesia yesterday in New York. At this meeting both the Prime Minister and President Wahid recognised the good progress Australia and Indonesia have made in their trade and economic relationships. It is worth reporting that President Wahid welcomed our highly constructive approach, as indeed the Australian government welcomes the highly constructive approach of President Wahid. President Wahid said that he shared Australia's deep concern about militia activity on the East-West Timor border and indicated that he would do all he could in this regard. He also underlined the need for repatriation and resettlement of refugees. We regard this matter as particularly important in the context of security in East Timor, the future direction of East Timor and the security of our very own Australian citizens working as civilian police, peacekeepers and in other capacities in East Timor.

I know the House will be interested in this. President Wahid proposed a quadrilateral meeting involving Australia, Indonesia, East Timor and Portugal to further cooperation on East Timor. Certainly that is a suggestion that this government believes is constructive. We look forward to the meeting taking place before too long. President Wahid also agreed— this is a matter of great concern to the government in our international dealings—that oil prices were currently too high and that international oil prices should be stabilised at around $US25 per barrel, which is more or less the view of the OPEC countries.

President Wahid raised his desire to visit Australia in the second half of October. He also proposed that the ministerial forum which is planned for this year between Australian and Indonesian ministers, to be held in Australia, be held before the presidential visit. Therefore, we would be looking at this ministerial forum possibly being held in the first two weeks or so of October. Let me hasten to add that the quadrilateral meeting that was proposed by President Wahid would take place after the visit to Australia, President Wahid's proposition being one that we warmly embrace. This meeting demonstrates the great importance of our bilateral relationship with Indonesia and the positive steps that both countries are now taking to revitalise that relationship and advance our cooperation across a whole range of areas. I am confident that over the next few weeks the relationship will get back onto a sound footing.