Bruce, we have ample material demonstrating the lack of comprehension of the green/left of the Indonesian situation.

We know that you are upset by the success of Abbott and his government, but emphasis of your ignorance with this type of outburst is time-wasting and boring.

If there is an area in which you have any expertise, please devote your efforts to that, and avoid topics of which you completely lack understanding

Bruce, you've always been a child of the left. Before Vietnam, I was involved in the 'Confrontation' (1964/65), and the one thing the Indonesian soldier respects, is an enemy that stands up to them ! Examine some of the cross border operations, in Borneo ?

It's also true, they never like to 'lose face'. And; they even have less respect, when they see an enemy lose face ! Bruce, your 'left leaning' politics are of course, your own business. Nevertheless what you've stated herein is just patent nonsense.

Bruce,

" there are only two outcomes, further aggression and confrontation with Indonesia or retreat"

Bollocks.

All the left whingers are now having to face the reality that having said for years that it would be impossible to turn the boats back, Abbott has done just that, and while Indonesia might huff and puff a little, it has no legal basis to do anything about it in international waters.

Bruce, just suck it up.

"The Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten, needs to place distance between himself and Abbott. Together with the Opposition Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Tanya Plibersek, he should visit Indonesia and seek to repair the damage being wrought by Morrison and Abbott. They might begin by addressing the issue of the joint processing of refugees."

They should begin by explaining why the Indonesian President and his wife were being spied on under the orders of the Rudd-Gillard governments.

What I want to know is why are the Indonesian authorities so willing to break Australian sovereignty by allowing refugee boats into our territorial waters?

Are Indonesian authorities being bribed by the people smugglers?

When people smugglers charge each asylum seeker $5,000 per person - adding up to (say) 100 x $5,000 = $500,000 for one boatload - how much of this money finds its way to the Indonesian Navy and Indonesian Borders & Customs?

I'm sure in Indonesia, with low wages and high known rates of corruption, Indonesian Government people would not let people smugglers keep all of the money.

Plantagenate: I'm sure in Indonesia, with low wages and high known rates of corruption, Indonesian Government people would not let people smugglers keep all of the money.

Glad to see someone's awake up to what's going on.

Raycon: Bruce, just suck it up.

the Haigs , Costellos & notable others never reply to any of their Posts. No guts. They just duck & run. These are the people that get Australia Day Awards because they are so wonderful. Crap.