Australia and the Indonesian Nationalist Movement 1942-1945

Abstract

In the twenty years since Indonesia declared herself independent, Indonesia and Australia have enjoyed a strange love - hate relationship. At intervals in the bouts of brickbat throwing and mutual misunderstanding, both sides have referred to the period 1945- 9 as a kind of "Golden Age" when the young Republic of Indonesia had so few friends in the world and counted Australia one of them. While relations were probably at their best during these years, it is necessary to go back further to seek the basis of the relationship between the two countries, for it was during the war, and in the few months immediately after that the tone was sets between the fall of the Netherlands East Indies in March 1942 and the withdrawal of the Australian occupation force from the outer is lands in March 1946. Australia has never been able to make up her mind about her large and unpredictable northern neighbours she was confused in the beginning, and she has remained confused. To try to understand, and if possible explain this confusion, it is necessary to examine closely the events taking place in the early years, the various pressures felt by the Australian Government and people, and their response to them.