Indonesia not protectionist: diplomat

An Indonesian diplomat says trade relations with Australia shouldn't be affected by his nation's apparent protectionism.

The chairman of the Indonesian Economic Diplomacy Task Force, I Gede Ngurah Swajaya, was asked at a forum in Perth on Wednesday about the republic's crackdown on foreign workers, despite the need for help to meet ambitious infrastructure plans.

Ambassador Swajaya replied that restrictions, such as insisting foreign workers speak Bahasa, were not new but were now being implemented as the Widodo government strove to be seen as protecting the interests of Indonesians.

He said he hoped it was "only a perception" that Indonesia was becoming more restrictive - especially considering it is short 135,000 engineers for planned ports and other facilities.

"Based on discussions I've had, it is not the case," Ambassador Swajaya said.

He was also quizzed on Indonesia slashing the volume of livestock it imports from Australia, saying "they don't want to have, you know, this oversupply".

"They review every three months," he said.

"So Indonesia is still open for business."

The West Australian opposition's spokesman for the newly created Asian engagement portfolio, Peter Tinley, asked about ASEAN and Indonesia's intentions for tariff removal and trade liberalisation generally.

"We need to really sit down and develop the economic partnerships with other countries, so we are moving towards that now," Ambassador Swajaya replied.