People smugglers bribed Indonesian police to allow the departure of the asylum-seeker boat whose crew were allegedly paid by Australian officials to turn back, it's been reported.
Indonesian police and passengers on the boat have alleged that six crew members were paid about $US5000 ($A6,410) each to take the asylum seekers back to Indonesia after the boat was intercepted at sea by Australian Customs and the navy late last month.
The Abbott government has refused to confirm or deny that money was paid over by Australian officials.
The Weekend Australian reported on Saturday that sources have revealed that Indonesian police were bribed to allow the boat to leave, bound for New Zealand.
The report says the Australians were certain the boat was unseaworthy and could not possibly get that far, and they were concerned the people could end up in the water, making rescue difficult.
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