Indonesia to outlaw people smuggling

10 Mar 2010, 7:11 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Indonesia has committed to a tougher stance on people smuggling.

Indonesia has committed to a tougher stance on people smuggling, providing a boost to the federal government as it continues to face pressure over the continued flow of asylum seekers to Australia.

As authorities intercepted another asylum seeker boat en route to Australia - the third in less than a week - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced his government would move to outlaw people smuggling.

Wednesday's announcement was welcomed by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who sees Indonesia's criminalising of the practice as crucial to a regional approach to combating the problem.

Dr Yudhoyono, in a historic address to the federal parliament on Wednesday, said his government would move to introduce the laws within months. Those found guilty would face a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

The announcement follows Australia and Indonesia agreeing on a new framework that centres on greater co-operation on prevention and disruption of people smuggling ventures, border and immigration management and legal processes.

As Mr Rudd has done so many times, the Indonesian president told the parliament people smuggling was a regional problem that required a regional solution.

"Indonesia and Australia believe in the authority of the Bali process which recognises that people smuggling is a regional problem that requires a regional solution involving the origin, transit and destination countries to work together," Dr Yudhoyono said.

"At this visit we have finally worked out the bilateral machinations of co-operation to deal with this issue so that future people smuggling cases can be handled in a predictable and co-ordinated way," he said.

"Now that we know much more about their modus operandi our respective authorities will intensify their co-operation to disrupt people smuggling activities."

With the asylum seeker issue looming as a key election battleground, Mr Rudd would be pleased Indonesia has moved to take a more forceful approach to people smuggling.

"Australia welcomes Indonesia's plan to introduce a law to criminalise people smuggling this year," Mr Rudd said in a statement.

The announcement came as an asylum seeker boat carrying 46 passengers and three crew was being escorted by the navy to Christmas Island.

HMAS Armidale, operating under the control of Border Protection Command, intercepted the boat just after 8am (AEDT), north of the Ashmore Islands.

It was the 21st asylum seeker boat to be intercepted in Australian waters this year.

Opposition border and customs spokesman Michael Keenan described Indonesia's tougher stance on people smuggling as a step in the right direction.

But Mr Keenan said the latest interception was also a constant reminder of the failure of Labor's border protection policy.

"The opposition welcomes the new framework agreed with Indonesia today but ultimately the proof of its success will be whether it is able to stop the flood of illegal arrivals that are currently coming down in record numbers to Australia," he said.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said the problem could be addressed if both countries worked together.

"People smuggling has started again and we can stop it again, provided it is done co-operatively and with a clear understanding of our mutual interests and the right policies in place here in Australia," Mr Abbott said.

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