Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says he is pleased Indonesia is providing initial signs of working with Australia after a disastrous period of foreign relations.
Mr Shorten says he won't seek to make political hay out of the Indonesian phone-tapping disaster until he receives a briefing of negotiations from the government.
"We're pleased Indonesia is providing some initial signs of working with Australia," he told reporters in Melbourne on Wednesday.
"We've been clear that we want the relationship back on track."
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono wants a new code of conduct with Australia that ensures spying activities won't happen again, which he wants signed before relations can go back to normal.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he would take some time before fully responding to Dr Yudhoyono's statement, but embraced the idea of a meeting of trusted envoys to begin mending the diplomatic rift.
Mr Shorten said information leaked by US National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden had caused a world of pain for governments worldwide.
"There's no doubt this hacker has penetrated American security," Mr Shorten said.
"It's a problem. It would be difficult for any government."
Share
