Julia Gillard began her bid to get tough on migration by announcing plans for offshore processing, but she will also be hoping that money for Indonesia to deal with the inevitable flow of boats will help her deal with the flow of migrants.
This afternoon, the federal government said it will provide Indonesia with patrol boats and surveillance aircraft as part of a $25 million package aimed at helping other countries in the region fight people smuggling.
Law enforcement agencies in Malaysia, Thailand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka would also be provided with additional support.
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The news came as it emerged a boat with 66 suspected asylum-seekers on board had been stopped by police in Indonesia/
The announcement comes a day after Prime Minister Julia Gillard revealed she would seek greater regional co-operation to deal with people smuggling, including establishing a refugee processing centre in East Timor.
Ms Gillard, who inspected Customs vessels in Darwin on Wednesday, said the package underlined the government's commitment to working with regional neighbours on the problem of people smuggling.
The package includes extra patrol boats, surveillance aircraft and communications equipment to help Indonesian police detect and disrupt people smuggling ventures in Indonesian waters.
Indonesia will also be given $5 million to develop the computer forensic capabilities of its national police force.
Australia's police presence in the region will also be boosted with another seven federal police officers to be deployed to work with law enforcement partners.
The package also includes new land-based policing surveillance and investigative equipment for partner law enforcement agencies in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
