Morrison unfazed by Indon-US boat talks

Scott Morrison says Indonesia is welcome to raise its concerns about Australia's border policy with the United States.

Morrison_061213_aap.jpg

Scott Morrison (File: AAP)

Tony Abbott and his Immigration Minister Scott Morrison have played down Indonesian threats to raise their concerns over border protection with the United States, saying discussions between the two countries are "right and proper".

Secretary of State John Kerry is visiting Jakarta to highlight US concerns about climate change, but Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa says issue of Australian border policy will also be discussed.

Dr Natalegawa told local reporters they would raise their concerns with Mr Kerry "and let America draw its own conclusions" about Australian policy.

The latest stoush over border protection has been sparked by Australia's use of lifeboats to send asylum seekers back to Indonesia, and follows months of anger at the Abbott government's boat towbacks.

But Prime Minister Abbott was unfazed about the talks, saying he was "pleased" Indonesia and the US were engaging in discussions.

"It's right and proper two friends of Australia should be talking regularly and deeply with each other," he told reporters on Sunday.

Asked about Indonesian plans to involve the US in the stoush over border protection, Mr Morrison said: "They're welcome to do that."

"That's a matter for Secretary Kerry, it's also matter for the Indonesians," he told ABC TV.

"I'm sure they'll have a lot to talk about during his visit."

Mr Morrison also downplayed Indonesian concerns about the use of lifeboats, which prompted Dr Natalegawa to call in Australia's ambassador Greg Moriarty for a dressing down.

"They have every right to raise concerns and issues with us, as they do," he said.

Secretary Kerry's visit comes as Labor and the Greens called on the government to release a report into the navy's incursions into Indonesian waters.

The government has apologised for the breaches during Operation Sovereign Borders, saying they were accidental.

Defence and Customs are investigating how the navy entered Indonesian waters on a number of occasions, with Mr Morrison saying the report will eventually be released publicly.

On Sunday he refused to say how many times naval boats breached Indonesian territory, but disputed claims from an Indonesian navy spokesman that the breaches had been deliberate.

"That's false ... it wasn't intentional at all," he said.

"They've conducted a very comprehensive review of these matters and that'll be contained in the report they release."

Opposition leader Bill Shorten accused the government of an "addiction to secrecy" when it came to border policy.


Share
3 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP

Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world
Morrison unfazed by Indon-US boat talks | SBS News