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Coalition emphasises trade rather than asylum seekers in Indonesia talks Abbott government emphasises trade over asylum seekers in Indonesia talks
(about 4 hours later)
As Tony Abbott prepares for 24 hours of high-level talks in Indonesia the government has tried to emphasise the strengthening of trade and investment links with the country rather than the troubled negotiations over the Coalition's asylum seeker policy. As Tony Abbott prepares for 24 hours of high-level talks in Indonesia his government has tried to emphasise the strengthening of trade and investment links rather than the troubled negotiations over asylum seeker policy.
The prime minister is flying to Indonesia on Monday for an overnight visit, his first overseas trip since becoming leader. Abbott is flying to Indonesia on Monday for an overnight visit, his first overseas trip since becoming Australia's prime minister.
Relations with Jakarta remain tense over the Abbott government's strategy to stop people trying to seek asylum in Australia by boat, which includes a plan for the navy to turn boats around. Relations with Jakarta remain tense over his government's strategy to stop people trying to seek asylum in Australia by boat, which includes a plan for the navy to turn boats around.
Abbott's meeting with the Indonesian president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, comes after at least 20 asylum seekers drowned when the boat they were travelling in capsized in Indonesian waters on Friday.Abbott's meeting with the Indonesian president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, comes after at least 20 asylum seekers drowned when the boat they were travelling in capsized in Indonesian waters on Friday.
His statement on Friday about the visit did not mention the asylum policy directly and said Australia's relationship with Indonesia was "broad-based", spanning business, education, defence, security and "people-to-people" links.His statement on Friday about the visit did not mention the asylum policy directly and said Australia's relationship with Indonesia was "broad-based", spanning business, education, defence, security and "people-to-people" links.
The visit comes after the foreign minister, Julie Bishop, held talks with her Indonesian counterpart, Marty Natalegawa, last week in New York.The visit comes after the foreign minister, Julie Bishop, held talks with her Indonesian counterpart, Marty Natalegawa, last week in New York.
During the meeting Natalegawa said he had made clear Indonesia would not co-operate on an asylum seeker policy which threatened his "country's sovereignty".During the meeting Natalegawa said he had made clear Indonesia would not co-operate on an asylum seeker policy which threatened his "country's sovereignty".
Bishop and the trade minister, Andrew Robb, will accompany Abbott on the trip while the immigration and border protection minister, Scott Morrison, stays in Australia.Bishop and the trade minister, Andrew Robb, will accompany Abbott on the trip while the immigration and border protection minister, Scott Morrison, stays in Australia.
On Sunday Robb released a lengthy statement emphasising the trade aspects of the visit, saying he would be focusing on deepening "regional economic integration".

"As a government we are determined to demonstrate that Australia is very much open for business and that we are committed to being a stable and reliable trade and investment partner with all countries with which we share important relationships," he said.		On Sunday Robb released a lengthy statement emphasising the trade aspects of the visit, saying he would be focusing on deepening "regional economic integration".

"As a government we are determined to demonstrate that Australia is very much open for business and that we are committed to being a stable and reliable trade and investment partner with all countries with which we share important relationships," he said.
Twenty business people from various Australian business sectors including agriculture, resources, banking and finance, infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare and telecommunications will join the prime minister on the trip and take part in meetings in Indonesia.Twenty business people from various Australian business sectors including agriculture, resources, banking and finance, infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare and telecommunications will join the prime minister on the trip and take part in meetings in Indonesia.
As Abbott was due to fly out the Howard government foreign minister Alexander Downer published an opinion piece in the Australian newspaper telling Abbott to resolve tensions over asylum seeker policy quickly.As Abbott was due to fly out the Howard government foreign minister Alexander Downer published an opinion piece in the Australian newspaper telling Abbott to resolve tensions over asylum seeker policy quickly.
He did not offer advice as to how to resolve the tension and instead argued for the "turn back the boats" policy which has been rejected by Indonesia.He did not offer advice as to how to resolve the tension and instead argued for the "turn back the boats" policy which has been rejected by Indonesia.
"The Indonesians don't like that but the boats are theirs, have their crews and come from their ports," he said."The Indonesians don't like that but the boats are theirs, have their crews and come from their ports," he said.
"They can hardly complain that we are sending their boats back to Indonesia – their home. This issue needs to be settled and fast.""They can hardly complain that we are sending their boats back to Indonesia – their home. This issue needs to be settled and fast."
Abbott and the delegation travelling with him are due back in Australia on Tuesday.Abbott and the delegation travelling with him are due back in Australia on Tuesday.
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