West Australian Premier Roger Cook is leading the biggest business and tourism mission the state has seen, with more than 130 officials, including three cabinet ministers, travelling to Indonesia.

However, the visit comes amid disputed claims that WA cattle are the source for eight cases of lumpy skin disease in Indonesia, triggering an effective ban on exports on the same day Cook is due to address the ASEAN Business Advisory Council in Jakarta to spruik trade ties.

It is the premier’s first international outing since taking charge.

He sat down with 9 News Perth and WAtoday from his hotel in central Jakarta.

“In Western Australia we consider ourselves Australian with a particularly Asian theme,” he said.

“We see huge opportunities to continue to engage with ASEAN economies as we strengthen our economy but also strengthen the resilience of the economies of the Indo and Asia pacific regions”.
The Premier outlined his plan to boost business ties and talk up tourism and trade, revealing he will lobby for another direct flight between Perth and Indonesia.

“I’ll be having conversations with members of the aviation industry. We want to continue to grow those direct aviation links,” he said.

WA’s critical minerals, including lithium, are also expected to feature on the agenda.

Of the more than 130 delegates, Andrew Vlahov is by far the biggest.

The two-metre-tall former Perth Wildcat and four-time Olympian is easy to spot on the streets of Jakarta.

Cook said Vlahov is attending the ASEAN summit to promote soft diplomacy through sport.

“We’re exploring the opportunities around support diplomacy and the role that it might play to continue to grow the relationship between Western Australia and Indonesia,” he said.

Claims WA cattle have tested positive for the viral disease known as lumpy skin disease, however, has jeopardised the state’s almost $4 billion cattle trade with Indonesia.

Australia’s acting chief veterinary officer Beth Cookson is adamant lumpy skin disease doesn’t exist in Australia.

“I can confirm that lumpy skin disease has never been detected in Australia and we remain free from the disease,” she said.

“We are awaiting advice from the relevant Indonesian and Malaysian authorities on the lifting of their cattle and buffalo import restrictions.”

WA Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti said testing on cattle in WA had not shown any instances of lumpy skin disease.

“I also understand a federal team has been sent to Indonesia to work with Indonesian authorities to try and resolve these issues,” she said.

“These are sensitive issues, but issues that very much impact our regional economies, and we really want to be able to get our cattle back into Indonesia because we do believe that we are free of that disease.”

WA ministers making the trip for the Indonesia Connect Roadshow are Mines and Energy Minister Bill Johnston, who speaks fluent Indonesian, Agriculture and Small Business Minister Jackie Jarvis and Minister for Culture and the Arts David Templeman.

Security is tight in Jakarta as leaders of the 10 ASEAN countries arrive.

In 2021, Australia’s trade with countries in the Association of South-East Asian Nations was greater than our two-way trade with Japan and the US.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo will officially launch the summit on Tuesday – but meetings are already under way.

Australia is not a member but a “dialogue partner”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to arrive in the coming days.