Joe Hay, Delegation Coordinator, reports on the recent Indonesian Delegation to observe the 2007 Federal Campaign

Date:  22 December 2007

During the final week of the 2007 Federal Election (19-25 November 2007), International Projects hosted senior representatives of Indonesia’s major political parties during an election observation study mission to New South Wales and Queensland.

The program was designed to strengthen links between the ALP and Indonesian political parties and provide a platform for the ALP to progress dialogue and party-to-party links.

The program focused on Australian electoral practices: positioning, agenda setting and expanding vote share, party polling, constituency relations and data management, platform and policy development, internal governance and funding, and the logistics and relationship required between a central party and local branches to run an effective federal election campaign

Delegates were briefed on a variety of core campaign principles by senior campaign practitioners with the concept of ‘positioning’ crossing over into the themes of message development, structure, machinery, logistics and communication strategies. These concepts were delivered in a relevant and practical way and were reinforced with on the ground exposure with visits to key marginal seats in both rural and urban settings. Delegates were continually exposed to core themes via a variety of perspectives and experiences to reinforce campaign fundamentals and overcome any language or cross-cultural difficulties and reinforce the message.

Significantly, the study tour also included a key briefing from the Australian Electoral Commission’s State Director and guided tours of polling stations (pre-poll and election day) by senior members of the AEC. The briefing and tours were invaluable to delegates due to the current electoral reform debate occurring in Indonesia. Electoral reform is an issue of particular currency in Indonesia and was hotly discussed throughout the tour.

Delegates attended the Rudd victory celebrations.

The tour was organised in collaboration with the National Democratic Institute (NDI) for International Affairs, Jakarta Office. International Projects would like to thank NDI for their assistance and for the loan of their staff member Merita Gidarjati who acted as executive officer and translator for the visiting delegation.