Abbott defends Indonesia refugee talks

17 Oct 2012, 1:19 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, who was at the meeting, said Mr Abbott did not raise the coalition's policy of turning back boats when it's safe to do so. (AAP)

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, who was at the meeting, said Mr Abbott did not raise the coalition's policy of turning back boats when it's safe to do so. (AAP)

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has defended his meeting with the Indonesian president, saying he gave a detailed explanation of his asylum seeker policy.

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Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says he won't be lectured to by Prime Minister Julia Gillard after she criticised him for failing to discuss his plan to turn back refugee boats with Indonesia's president.

Mr Abbott, who has just returned from a trip to Jakarta, told reporters on Wednesday the Indonesians now had a very clear understanding of coalition policy on asylum seekers.

The people smuggling issue was discussed during Mr Abbott's meeting with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Monday.

But Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, who was at the meeting, said Mr Abbott did not raise the coalition's policy of turning back boats when it's safe to do so.

Ms Gillard said Mr Abbott's approach was cowardly.

"What it means is that Mr Abbott doesn't have the guts to raise with international leaders issues that he says are important," she told reporters in New Delhi on Tuesday.

But Mr Abbott said it was wrong to say the coalition had not discussed its asylum seeker policies with the Indonesians.

He said the meeting between Mr Natalegawa, foreign affairs spokeswoman Julie Bishop and immigration spokesman Scott Morrison went into considerable detail, including the plan to turn back boats.

"The Indonesian government now has the clearest possible understanding of exactly where the coalition stands," Mr Abbott said.

"I am not going to be lectured to by a prime minister who is more interested in complaining about the opposition than she is in getting on with government."

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Your Comments

all talk no action

mark - from moonta, 7 months ago

Abbott has been told by the navy it will not work and will place lives at risk.I would believe the navy before any politician.Also Indonesia has stated they will not take them so this is political and not based on reality.Still i suspect the ill informed sections of the community will believe him.Pity he did not have the courage to talk about it directly to the president of indonesia which in my opinion is a bad way to try and start a meaningfull relationship.Poor judgement by mr abbott.

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