Don't expect Indonesian support for towbacks

Shadow immigration spokesman Richard Marles’ thought bubble on the success of the Federal Government’s “turn back the boats” policy on Sunday has raised the prospect of bipartisan unity on a policy that has angered Australia’s large near neighbour, Indonesia.

The appointment of a career diplomat, Retno Marsudi, as Indonesia’s new foreign minister is only likely to formalise Indonesia’s opposition to Australia’s controversial asylum seeker policy.

Indonesia’s previous foreign minister, Marty Natalegawa, was blunt in his criticism of Australia’s policy of turning back asylum seekers attempting to leave Indonesia for Australian waters. He was especially forthright about the issue when it included Australian ships entering Indonesian territorial waters.

to read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-27/kingsbury-turning-back-the-boats/5844926