CANBERRA Oct 8 AAP - Indonesia seems to be more upbeat about relations with Australia following Malcolm Turnbull's elevation to the prime ministership.
Indonesia Ambassador Nadjib Riphat Kesoema has declared the relationship is once again on an "upward trajectory" after alluding to tension in recent years over issues such as the executions of two Australian drug smugglers, boats, cattle and a phone tapping scandal.
In an address to the Australian Institute of International Affairs on Thursday night, Mr Kesoema said Indonesian President Joko Widodo has had a pleasant conversation with Mr Turnbull.
"The president has conveyed his warmest greetings and congratulations for PM Turnbull," he said.
"It is an asset for our partnership that our leaders have many things in common including successful business backgrounds and track records of finding solutions to difficult challenges."
It's understood there was a lack of chemistry between Mr Widodo and former prime minister Tony Abbott and some of his public statements in the lead up to Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan's deaths caused offence in Jakarta.
Mr Kesoema praised the resumption of high level ministerial contact and the stabilisation of the live cattle trade.
In July, Justice Minister Michael Keenan became the first Australian minister to visit Indonesia since the executions and Australia's recalled ambassador Paul Grigson returned to Jakarta in June.
Mr Kesoema flagged both countries need to work on building resilience into the relationship so it can better withstand "short term shocks".
Approaches that serve "short term domestic political interests" should be avoided, he said.
Mr Kesoema issued a challenge to the Australian media saying coverage of Indonesia "should move beyond the usual headlines".
He also emphasised the need to ward off "knee-jerk nationalistic and protectionist reactions to slowing economic growth", a veiled reference at his own country's trend towards economic nationalism.
While Australian products such as wines, beef, pawpaw cream and Vegemite are plentiful in Jakarta supermarkets, Mr Kesoema hopes one day Australians can as easily find Indonesian items like Bintang Beer and Indomie noodles.
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