Sir Robert Menzies KT AK CH QC FAA FRS

In 1959, Menzies became the first Australian Prime Minister to visit Indonesia, meeting with President Sukarno and being guest of honour at an official dinner.

Sir Robert Menzies was Australian Prime Minister from 1939 to 1941 and from 1949 to 1966. He remains Australia’s longest-serving Prime Minister. 

As Prime Minister, Menzies continued the post-World War Two realignment of Australian foreign policy begun under the previous government. 

With its focus increasingly on the Asia-Pacific region, Australia was among the first countries to formally recognise the new country of Indonesia in December of 1949. In addition, the Menzies Government drove the creation of the Colombo Plan in 1951, which provided funds for many Indonesians, to travel to Australia for education and training. 

In 1959, Menzies became the first Australian Prime Minister to visit Indonesia, meeting with President Sukarno and being guest of honour at an official dinner.