TONY Abbott says Indonesia has an obligation to take back asylum-seekers saved in its own search and rescue zone, as the Coalition expressed "frustration" with Jakarta's boats policy
A stand-off with Jakarta, which ended with the asylum-seekers being taken instead to Christmas Island, was seized on by Labor and the Greens as evidence the Coalition's turn-back policy was a failure, and damaging to bilateral ties.
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said today there was “no rhyme or reason” to why Indonesia was refusing to take back asylum-seekers.
Mr Abbott added:“Now the normal international law is that if you are rescued in a country's search and rescue zone, that country has an obligation to take you. “You can go to the nearest port. And the nearest port is normally in the country whose search and rescue zone you've been picked up in," he told 2GB.
“The border protection policy which Tony Abbott took to the election is in tatters,” opposition immigration spokesman Richard Marles said.Greens Leader Christine Milne said today Mr Abbott has been caught out in a “lie” by selling the idea to the Australian people that boat turn-backs are easy.
Mr Morrison said the government's opponents are “hyperventilating”.“What they won't acknowledge is we are succeeding - 75 per cent down on arrivals of illegal boats since Operation Sovereign Borders commenced. And our returns overseas have doubled.”
Mr Morrison said it's also frustrating that Indonesia has no significant search and rescue services based on its southern coastline. -
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