(Transcript from SBS World News Radio)
The federal government is still refusing to say whether or not people smugglers were paid to turn back an asylum seeker boat.
Now the Indonesian Foreign Minister has asked Australia's ambassador for an explanation of claims that smugglers were paid thousands of dollars to turn back to Indonesia.
And as Santilla Chingaipe reports, it's added pressure to the already strained relations between the two nations.
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Reports which surfaced last week alleged the Australian navy paid crew members of a boat carrying 65 asylum seekers to return to Indonesian waters.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott did not deny the allegations, but said officials were being what he called "incredibly creative" in following Australia's policy to turn back the boats.
His comments have been criticised by Indonesian officials, with at least one sounding a warning if the allegations are indeed true.
"We are really concerned if it is confirmed. It would be a new low for the way that the government of Australia is handling the situation."
When asked about the claims again on Sunday, Mr Abbott refused to be drawn on the matter.
"I think it's very important that the Australian public are reassured there is a government in charge which will not waiver for a second in our determination to ensure that the boats stay stopped and it's very important that the Indonesians know that the Australian government is absolutely resolute in our determination never to see this evil trade start up again."
Last week, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton denied the claims.
But now, he too, is following the prime minister's lead and refusing to comment.
"The government has been very clear from day one on operation sovereign borders, and that is, we don't comment on operational matters."
Opposition leader Bill Shorten has seized on Mr Dutton's about turn.
"The beleaguered Minister for Immigration, Peter Dutton, seems to be lurching from crisis to crisis. In the course of last week he categorically ruled out, staked his reputation, that no people smugglers have been paid taxpayer money in the carrying out of the people smuggling. Yet today, the Minister for Immigration has refused to stand by his earlier categoric denials. It is now time for Mr Abbott to make it clear, has taxpayer money, Australian taxpayer money, been paid by the Abbott Government to criminal people smugglers or not?"
The Australian Greens have also demanded the government show transparency over the matter.
Deputy leader Larissa Waters says they'll raise the matter in the Senate to get some answers.
"This is a real question for Tony Abbott to answer, and, of course, he's been refusing to answer. His ministers have been saying no, we didn't do this. The Prime Minister himself, when given ample opportunity, has refused to rule out paying people smugglers to turn back boats. Now, we'll move in the Senate for an order for a production of documents to try to get to the bottom of whether money has changed hands, potentially illegally."
