There is certainly scope to constantly improve Australia's evolving relationship with Indonesia. This can be done by elevating the importance of Indonesia not just in terms of foreign affairs and defence but also in economic and social engagement. It should not all be left to politicians and public servants. Everyone in society can help build closer ties with Indonesia. Since the Colombo Plan, Indonesians have been coming to Australia for education and this scholarship program should be expanded and the alumni network nurtured and harnessed for common good. Effort also needs to made to lift the quality and impact of Indonesia's higher education standards and social impact.

Does this mean selling out our very close neighbour which Indonesian butchers deprive of their right to self-determination? If so, no way José. It is to our discredit (and his) that the Foreign Minister persistently refers to West Papua as "the two Papuan provinces".

Where to start.

1. Indonesia does have an offshore processing plant for boat people, it's called Australia - because Indonesia is not a signatory to the refugee convention so they push them here because we are. WE do though pay Indonesia to jail, torture, kill and deport them for us.
2. there are no such thing as criminal people smugglers because it is a legal right to seek asylum ergo it is a legal right to pay for transport = the only criminals to date have been SBY's body guard, some in the army and the police and immigration officials we train.

I think you should stick to being a CPA because you don't have a clue what you are talking about.

Actually Everald, it's "Schapelle Corby" and not "Michelle Corby" - and that's not the only thing you have wrong. Firstly check out this blog post: http://womenforschapelle.blogspot.com/2012/09/schapelle-corby-bali-bomb-victim.html And secondly, believing Australians take marijuana FROM this country, TO Bali (in order to make a profit), it's akin to believing in fairies at the bottom of the garden. That "Flow" (as well as the aforementioned magical creatures), is/are non-existent. This current complaint to the Australian Press Council very clearly explains why: http://womenforschapelle.blogspot.com/2012/09/schapelle-corby-australian-yellow-press.html Though let's put it this way - it only took (for example), the British media 23 years to report the truth about the Hillsborough tragedy (when 96 fans were crushed to death at a football match), while they were busy covering up the Government and corporate negligence (& corruption), that led to it. It seems the Australian media is following the same ethos when it comes to hiding horrific aviation crime & crime corruption that puts us all at risk. You do remember the Lockerbie air disaster of course (Dec 1988)? Schapelle & all the passengers on her plane were actually extremely lucky. 4.2 kilos of marijuana could easily have been 4.2 kilos of Semtex. I also recommend you check out the comments of Ray Cooper (former Head of Internal Investigations for the AFP): http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/AFP-ivolved-in-drug-smuggling-exdetective/2005/05/08/1115491036872.html

Only if we are lucky and Labor stops insulting them at every stumble. The Indons will remember the high handed canceling of the live trade, maybe all the boats are just a reverse live trade?