The attacks in Bali in October last year that killed 202 people including 88 Australians had the positive knock-on effect of ushering in a new era of cooperation between police and intelligence agencies in the two countries.
It remains to be seen if Latham can master the restrained diplomacy Howard successfully employs in dealing with his sometimes fractious Asian neighbors.
While Latham will have to tone down his rhetoric if he is to keep Australia's overseas relations intact, his first priority is to reunite a Labor Party mired in despair and division after nearly eight years in opposition.
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