Together Stronger? Int Errogating Australia’s Hadr Cooperation With Indonesia In An Era Of Proliferating Natural Disasters

Abstract

Natural disasters are striking more often with greater frequency and intensity across the Indo-Pacific region. This paper argues that Australia has a moral responsibility to step up its provision of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) and can do so with 
the support of strategic partners. It should do so only while cognisant of priorities outlined by the Defence Strategic Review (2023). By focusing on increasing cooperative activities specifically on HADR, Australia and Indonesia can together save more lives when natural disasters occur in the Indo-Pacific while gaining strategic dividends of building trust between each other‘s militaries and strengthening their diplomatic relationship. Cooperation in HADR operations and increasing the number of HADR training exercises 
will serve to improve military-to-military relations, increase interoperability and build social capital, all three simultaneously reinforcing the strength of diplomatic relations. This paper make two recommendations: that the Australian and Indonesian militaries continue enhancing defence cooperation with a focus on HADR collaboration and that the ADF increase its focus on participating in HADR training exercises with regional partners. As geographic neighbours facing the transnational burden of HADR, now is the time to invest in cooperation.