WHAT have we got to do to please Indonesia? Or is the truth that when it's over it's over and in this relationship, there's nothing that we can ever do right?
Even when we're sorry, it's not enough.
When we're generous, we need to try harder.
When we're within our rights, we're wrong.
Don't know about you, but I sense they've been trying to tell us something for a while.
Perhaps it's about time we listened.
See if there's a pattern here: Hundreds, if not thousands of Indonesian-flagged boats, leaving Indonesian ports, crewed by Indonesians, breaking Indonesian and Australian laws have been wilfully engaged in people smuggling for years.
Apologies? No. Instead we get a lecture. "Australia must do more," says the Indonesian leadership.
So we donate aircraft and navy patrol boats to help fix the problem.
It turns out they're not good enough for the task - but they can be deployed elsewhere to deal with things more important to Indonesia.
The people smuggler boats keep coming. Any apology yet? No, just a bit of friendly advice: "Take the sugar off the table" - this time from the Indonesian President.
Point taken - but the "people-smuggling trade'' still happens right under your nose, Mr President. "We're doing our best," he says. "But Australia must try harder."
Have some more borrowed Australian dollars in aid for your country as well. It's now over half a billion ... but we can do better next year. How does $600 million sound?
"Just a moment ... the ABC says you've been spying on us." Quick, recall the ambassador and downgrade the friendship status.
Does Indonesia spy on Australia? "Once we did, but now we can't confirm nor deny - but how dare you!"
Then on Friday, Immigration Minister Scott Morrison issues a grovelling apology for Australian patrol boats accidentally straying into Indonesian waters.
The response was never going to be hugs and kisses - but any points for honesty? "Not good enough, Australia," came the response.
Did we get sprung on the wrong side of the line? No. Australia fronted up and admitted the mistake. And just quietly, our navy was out there dealing with the problem Indonesia itself seems incapable of fixing.
The neighbour is furious again. "Indonesia deplores and rejects the violation ... this is a very serious matter.
"Indonesia rejects the 'turn back boats' policy and wants the whole operation to cease."
What have you got to do to please these people? Australia is not without its faults but there seems to be no end in trying to smooth things over.
Our great neighbour seems determined to always send back the single-finger salute.
So now there's tension and action. The Indonesian Navy is rushing to the scene. For five years they've been "too busy" and "too under resourced" to stop the boats but now they'll try to stop Australia stopping the boats.
Friendly Australia is getting the unfriendly treatment and suddenly there's the prospect of the two countries staring each other down at sea.
But for every downside, there's a benefit. Perhaps the presence of the Indonesian Navy, with its notorious no-fuss attitude, might go some way towards really stopping the boats.
You can't imagine the crooks are going to risk leaving people-smuggler ports while there's a chance of bumping into the local boys on a mission, 12 nautical miles out. It's a strange way to get your way, but this is what Australia needed years ago. Finally, Indonesia gives a **bleep**.
Diplomacy is hard enough when you're dealing with an easily upset big bully - until the Greens join in and want a piece of the arm wrestle. And as usual, they're not on Australia's side.
Operation Sovereign Borders is only happening because it was the will of the voters at the last election. I know democracy matters little when you're a world- renowned expert on everything, like Senator Sarah Hanson-Young. Perhaps she should be on commission from Jakarta because she's saying all the things they wouldn't dare.
Many in this country are sick and tired of the one-way street with Indonesia. There is seemingly no pleasing them unless it's everything they want and how they want it.
Link To Article
I think this article reflects the view of many Australians.
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