The Wire

Indonesian President Joko Widodo addressed a joint sitting of Parliament in Canberra today where he called Australia Indonesia’s closest friend.

This is fitting as President Widodo brings with him a gift in the form of a newly ratified free trade deal between Australia and Indonesia. The deal has been over a decade in the making and will improve access for Australians to own and do business in the developing economy of Indonesia.

Yet the deal may not be all its cracked up to be as it does not include environmental protections and labour rights.