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Australian PM Abbott set for Indonesia talks on migrants | Australian PM Abbott set for Indonesia talks on migrants |
(about 2 hours later) | |
New Australian PM Tony Abbott is to begin a visit to Indonesia, amid tensions between the two nations over his tough asylum policies. | |
Jakarta says Mr Abbott's policy of sending boats with illegal migrants back to Indonesia risks violating the country's sovereignty. | Jakarta says Mr Abbott's policy of sending boats with illegal migrants back to Indonesia risks violating the country's sovereignty. |
Mr Abbott, who was elected earlier this month, defends his plans. | Mr Abbott, who was elected earlier this month, defends his plans. |
Last week, at least 31 asylum seekers drowned when their vessel sank off the coast of Java. | Last week, at least 31 asylum seekers drowned when their vessel sank off the coast of Java. |
'Stand or fall' | 'Stand or fall' |
Mr Abbott is expected to hold talks with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during the two-day visit to the country - his first overseas trip since becoming prime minister. | Mr Abbott is expected to hold talks with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during the two-day visit to the country - his first overseas trip since becoming prime minister. |
Ahead of the tour, Mr Abbott has sought to play down the tensions, saying he would like to focus on other key issues, including trade. He is bringing a delegation of 20 Australian business leaders to Jakarta. | |
He also stressed the symbolic importance of his visit. | |
"It is my hope that this visit establishes a convention for all future incoming prime ministers to make Jakarta their first port of call overseas," Mr Abbott said. | |
Mr Abbott has said in the past that he wants "more Jakarta and less Geneva" in Australia's foreign policy. | |
But last week's boat disaster off Java is expected to keep the asylum issue in sharp focus. | But last week's boat disaster off Java is expected to keep the asylum issue in sharp focus. |
Indonesian officials have told the BBC that at least 31 boat people drowned, and 28 have been rescued. | |
It is not clear how many were on the boat, but some reports say between 80 and 100 people were on board. | |
Survivors have since been accusing the Australian navy of failing to respond. Canberra says it has provided all appropriate assistance to the vessel. | Survivors have since been accusing the Australian navy of failing to respond. Canberra says it has provided all appropriate assistance to the vessel. |
Also last week, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said Mr Abbott's policies could put co-operation on asylum seekers at risk. | Also last week, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said Mr Abbott's policies could put co-operation on asylum seekers at risk. |
Ahead of September's elections Mr Abbott campaigned on a "stop the boats" policy, which helped propel him to power. | Ahead of September's elections Mr Abbott campaigned on a "stop the boats" policy, which helped propel him to power. |
He says stopping the thousands of asylum seekers is a "stand or fall" issue for him. | He says stopping the thousands of asylum seekers is a "stand or fall" issue for him. |
The Liberal prime minister has also ordered the military to turn back migrant boats en route to Australia and - where possible - prevent them from embarking. | |
Hundreds of migrants have died trying to reach Australian shores in recent years; many of them head for Christmas Island, a remote Australian territory in the Indian Ocean. | Hundreds of migrants have died trying to reach Australian shores in recent years; many of them head for Christmas Island, a remote Australian territory in the Indian Ocean. |