Abbott doesn’t discuss 'turning back the boats' policy with SBY

Bagus BT Saragih, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | World | Mon, October 15 2012, 9:41 PM

Australian opposition leader Tony Abbott did not delve into details of his coalition’s so-called “turning back the asylum seeker boats” policy when he met with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the latter’s office in Jakarta on Monday, according to Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa.

“No. [The talks between Yudhoyono and Abbott did not discuss] that specific modality or possibility. But there was a good discussion on the problems or common challenges of people smuggling and how the issue must be addressed,” Marty told the press after the meeting.

Marty accompanied Yudhoyono in the meeting while Abbot was accompanied by the shadow foreign affairs minister Julie Bishop.

In July, Yudhoyono also met with Abbott in Darwin, on the sidelines of the second Indonesia-Australia Annual Leader’s Meeting. In this meeting, Abbott did not mention people-smuggling issues at all, according to reports.

The flow of boats carrying asylum seekers to Australia has remained a hot topic in Australia with the government and the opposition exchanging criticism on the issue.