PM says no testosterone contest over boats

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 13 November 2013 | 19.19

Labor is pushing the government to give a coherent explanation on people-swap talks with Indonesia. Source: AAP

AS another boat founders off the coast of Java, Prime Minister Tony Abbott says he's not interested in a "testosterone contest" with Indonesia over the issue of sending asylum seekers back.

At least 10 asylum seekers, including five children, are believed to have made it to shore after the boat they were taking to Australia got into trouble off the Indonesian coast.

It's understood that at least 40 others, however, remain on the stricken vessel off the coast of south Java, near the district of Bayah, amid reports late on Wednesday that some people may have entered the water.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed the Australian government was aware of the incident, but added that no Australian authorities were involved in the rescue.

"We understand the incident occurred in close proximity to the Indonesian coast and Indonesian authorities are coordinating a search and rescue response," Mr Morrison said in a statement on Wednesday evening.

An official with the Indonesian search and rescue agency, Basarnas, told AAP that at least 10 asylum seekers, including children had been saved by local fishermen, but that about 40 remained on the boat.

"They are still on the boat, but it's engine is dead," the official said.

"There are no reports of any casualties yet."

Mr Abbott responded to opposition questions in parliament on Wednesday about a possible people swap deal with Indonesia to say the coalition was talking to Jakarta about how to stop asylum seeker boats coming to Australia.

He rejected suggestions Australia had buckled and Indonesia was calling the shots.

"I am not interested in a testosterone contest," he told ABC television.

"I am not going to run around beating my hairy chest and saying that I have out-stared someone and I am not going to say that someone has out-stared me."

Mr Abbott said this was not a question of two countries trying to prove who was the toughest.

"It's a question of two good friends working together for an outcome which is clearly in the best interest of both of our countries."

Mr Abbott wouldn't say how many boats Indonesian had refused to take back.

"All of the boats in question were in the Indonesia search and rescue zone," he said.

"I want the fullest possible cooperation between Indonesia and Australia in places where Indonesia has the legal responsibility under the law of the sea but Australia has more practical capacity to help."

In parliament, Labor - which in government released details of every boat arrival - sought to press the government to release more information.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has been criticised for releasing scant information just once a week at his Friday briefing.

Manager of opposition business Tony Burke pointed out that it was "no secret" that a boat had arrived in Darwin on Monday.

Mr Morrison was unmoved, saying there were "clear communications protocols" in place for updates on the coalition's border protection plan, known as Operation Sovereign Borders.

"We are going to hold the line," he said.

Earlier, the government used its numbers in the lower house to defeat an opposition call for Mr Morrison to respond now to the Darwin boat arrival.


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