AUSTRALIA'S reputation as America's "deputy sheriff" in the region is entrenched despite the fall of the Howard government last year.

But in a sign that public attitudes are shifting at home, a poll to be released today shows younger Australians are more likely to see US meddling in the neighbourhood as a problem. The survey by Melbourne University's AsiaLink gives a snapshot of opinion across Australia and Indonesia about relations between the two countries.

Indonesians rank Australia among the top four regional troublemakers, with America heading the list ahead of Malaysia and Israel.

Following on from East Timor's vote for independence in 1999 and continued unrest in Papua province, Indonesians most fear the break-up of their country and the prospect of outsiders promoting internal dissent.

In turn, Australians overall are more likely to regard Indonesia with hostility, while also being wary of Iran, China and North Korea.