The Australian and Indonesian governments have strong reason to celebrate their signing of a new security agreement last month. But bilateral ties, on an upward - although occasionally problematic - trajectory these past two years, look poised to face some big tests next year.
It will not be disagreements over Iraq or East Timor that could fan tensions - indeed, both these issues seem of secondary importance. Instead, the trouble could come from differences in public opinion over the sentences handed out to several young Australians in Bali for attempted heroin smuggling. While Australians are determinedly opposed to capital punishment, Indonesians see criticism in this case as arrogant western interference in their legal system.
The other factor likely to reinvigorate ill-feeling will be support, or at least sympathy, among Australians for separatist movements in the province of Papua. That will make Indonesians conclude that, despite robust denials, Canberra has little respect for Indonesia's sovereignty.
A Newspoll survey released to coincide with the signing of the security treaty showed that a majority of respondents in Australia wanted the inclusion of a clause to guarantee access by foreign journalists to parts of Indonesia, including Papua.
For both nations, the relationship has historically been one of their most difficult. However, government-to-government ties have strengthened to an unprecedented degree since the election of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as president in September 2004, and Australia's huge aid effort after the 2004 tsunami catastrophe. The close rapport built up between Prime Minister John Howard and Dr Susilo has been another crucial factor.
In this new, friendly climate, both governments have been keen to recognise shared interests, such as the 'war on terror', the promotion of trade and the need for regional stability. Jakarta has also supported a bigger role for Australia in Asia. The problem is that progress at the grass-roots level in both countries has been much slower. Many Australians still do not know that Indonesia is a democracy, while many Indonesians believe that Canberra secretly covets Papua or supports its independence.