Prime Minister Julia Gillard should tell Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono that Australia is prepared to work with his country to process refugee claims, the Australian Greens say.
The government could help victims fleeing persecution by giving the United Nation's refugee agency $10 million to assess claims in Indonesia, Greens' immigration spokeswoman Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said on Monday.
"By helping the UNHCR and immediately resettling 1000 people already there, refugees will know their pleas for protection are being taken seriously by Australia and there is no need to risk their lives on boats," she said.
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"Boosting funding for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Indonesia will ease the pressure on the two staff who are trying to cope with over 8000 applications."
She said Australian and Indonesian officials should also be discussing greater co-operation in search and rescue operations and sharing intelligence and resources.
