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Aussies just lost their visa-free entry to Bali

Hold the celebrations. In less than 24 hours the Indonesian government seems to have changed its tune (once again) on whether Australians will receive visa-free entry into Bali.

Hold the celebrations. In less than 24 hours the Indonesian government seems to have changed its tune (once again) on whether Australians will receive visa-free entry into Bali.

All because our very own government is refusing to make a similar agreement for Indonesian travellers.

The Indonesian government announced yesterday that it had included Australia in a list of 46 other countries that would be exempt from paying the visa fee when travelling to the island. The decision came months after removing Australia from the list when online protests broke out over the executions of two Aussies.

However, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has refused to even consider changing Australia’s no-exemptions policy for tourists coming into the country.

Julie Bishop

Julie Bishop said visa-free wouldn’t be available without offering a reciprocal agreement.

According to The Australia, Ms Bishop discussed the topic over a breakfast with her Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi.

She told the Indonesian Minister that while she would love Australians to be exempt from purchasing visa to the country, she couldn’t agree to his terms.

“Unless they got reciprocity [Indonesians], they wouldn’t be able to do so.”

Julie Bishop, Australian Foreign Minister

“Our policy is across the board – there are no exemptions.”

Does anyone else feel like they’re watching a game of ping pong?