Australia is Indirectly Meddling in Indonesia

When John Howard met recently with Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri he got an important assurance from her:  that Indonesia does not regard Australia as anti-Islam.  This was crucial in the light of the war against terrorism and possible conflict in the Gulf.  In return, Megawati raised the issue of Indonesian sovereignty, and her concern that Australian government funds to aid Australian non-government organisations were being used to support separatist movements in Indonesia.  All Howard could do was to give an undertaking that this was not the government's intent.

As Howard will discover, Indonesia's concerns are valid.  Australian foreign-aid NGOs are actively undermining the sovereignty of Indonesia and promoting independence for West Papua.  This was alluded to during the recent debate on the proposed anti-terrorism laws.  As a member of an Australian foreign-aid NGO noted in The Australian Financial Review last May:  "There are concerns if the bill is passed in its present form, organisations that directly support and provide advocacy for independence movements may be deregistered by the attorney-general and face other consequences resulting from a freedom movement being classified as a terrorist organisation".  (Nathan Laws, Australian Legal Resources International, AFR, May 16, 2002).

Although Howard will not find any government grants earmarked for "supporting independence in West Papua", the reality is that its funding often underwrites much of this activity and it is time that Australian official aid agency, AusAID, be made accountable.

For example Union Aid Abroad (APHEDA), the ACTU's own aid agency, states in its annual report that it "campaigns in support of independence in West Papua".

While the Australian government does not explicitly fund APHEDA's pro-independence campaign, it does so indirectly.  First, it gives it tax-deductibility status.  Second, the government, through AusAID, gives it 70 per cent of total funding.  In terms of funding, the term "non-government" is a bit of a misnomer.

APHEDA is not the sole Australian foreign NGO to support independence, it is just the most transparent about its intentions.  In a democracy, groups have a right to support causes peacefully.  But NGOs that rely heavily on government funding don't have these same unfettered rights.

This applies especially to the ABC.  The government-funded ABC was supporting the Morning Star Concert, an event designed to raise funds for West Papuan independence, until the Howard government stopped it.  Australia can play a role in West Papua by bringing the parties together and promoting dialogue, like in another troubled province, Aceh.

Supporting independence in West Papua is not in our national interest.  Nor is letting Australian NGOs run around with government money, seeking regime change in our most important neighbour.

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