Abbott fails to raise boats plan with SBY

Mr Abbott did not discuss his plan to "turn back the boats" with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during their meeting in Jakarta. Picture: Adek Berry Source: AFP

OPPOSITION Leader Tony Abbott has discussed asylum-seeker policy with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, but has again passed up the opportunity to raise his plan of "turning back the boats".

Mr Abbott has consistently called for the Australian government to better communicate with Jakarta when it makes foreign policy decisions that impact on its nearest neighbour.

But in a meeting with Dr Yudhoyono in Jakarta, Mr Abbott chose not to raise his plan of turning asylum-seeker boats around, a key plank in his border protection policy.

Instead, he is understood to have spoken with Dr Yudhoyono of the need to combat people smuggling through the regional framework known as the Bali Process.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, who attended the meeting between Mr Abbott and Dr Yudhoyono, said there "was no specific identification of the need to ... turn around boats".

The Indonesian government is known to be staunchly opposed to the plan.

"The two sides identified the need to strengthen the Bali Process, reflecting the fact that the challenge is one that must be shouldered by countries of origin, countries of transit, as well as countries of destination," Mr Natalegawa said.

Earlier in the day, Immigration Minister Chris Bowen taunted Mr Abbott about not having discussed the policy with Dr Yudhoyono in another meeting in Darwin in July.

"Now, if Mr Abbott has the guts to raise turning back the boats with Mr Yudhoyono, that will be a significant development considering he didn't have the guts to raise it last time they met," Mr Bowen said.

"Unless Mr Abbott can change that position, then he is just all talk about turning back the boats."

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono speaks toOpposition Leader Tony Abbott during their meeting in Jakarta. Picture: Adek Berry Source: AFP

The decision by Mr Abbott to again pass up the opportunity to raise the plan with Dr Yudhoyono came after he earlier in the day continued his criticism of the Gillard government, which he says has neglected Indonesia in terms of foreign policy.

"As far as humanly possible, a coalition government would try to deal with its Indonesian counterpart as a candid friend and never make decisions that impact on Indonesia without discussing them first," Mr Abbott told a business lunch.

Following the talks with the president, Mr Abbott spoke of importance of the relationship with Indonesia.

"It is a testament to the strength and importance of Australia's relationship with our nearest neighbour that such a meeting was able to take place," he said.

During the meeting with Mr Abbott, Dr Yudhoyono spoke of the need for Australia and Indonesia to continue to co-operate in the fight against terrorism.

"We are very serious in combating terrorism and that's why we need to continue our partnership and co-operating in making this region safer, in ensuring that we not surrender to acts of terrorism," Dr Yudhoyono said.

Mr Abbott, who has been in Jakarta since Friday after attending a memorial for the 10th anniversary of the Bali bombings, praised Dr Yudhoyono for his efforts in combating terrorism.

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