Australia’s new prime minister embarked on his first tour as the nation’s leader on Thursday.
In what is the broadest international sojourn by an Australian PM since Kevin Rudd’s entry onto the world leadership stage, Malcolm Turnbull’s jam packed schedule includes visits to five nations; starting with Indonesia, then on to Germany, then Turkey for the G-20, followed by the Philippines for APEC, and finally Malaysia for the East Aria Summit.
During the whirlwind global jaunt, Mr Turnbull is expected to meet with 20 world leaders who by now must be getting used to the revolving door of the Aussie leadership.
On Turnbull’s first stop he hopes to revive Australia’s relationship with its very-near neighbour during face-to-face talks with Indonesia’s populist president, Joko Widodo. It follows a tumultuous and tense few years between the two countries during Turnbull’s predecessor’s stewardship, highlighted by spying controversies and the execution of convicted Australian Bali 9 drug smugglers, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.
IMAGE: (By Bay Ismoyo/AFP)