I don't believe one speck of these protestations of innocence. Given the state of today's GPS devices, when an operational naval ship is asked its position, it should be possible to give two readings - one for the bow and one for the stern.
If the commanders of the ships in breach of Indonesia's sovereign borders didn't know how to use their navigational equipment, or couldn't read a map, they were either incompetent and should be demoted, or they wilfully ignored the maps and should be demoted.
Am official apology was needed and was given. Let's not do it again. If you must, tow the vessels back and let them loose at 13 nautical miles. What's the problem?
As for Indonesia's cry of foul, I think it's worth remembering that during the six years of the Rudd/Gillard/Rudd government, Indonesia, a country with a functioning robust internal control system, allowed thousands of individuals to transit the country and take a boat from southern Java to Australia. By doing this, they effectively undermined the elected government of a near neighbour. NOT the actions of a good neighbour, a friendly neighbour. Proof? Once Abbott indicated the game was over, the boats stopped.

Put your rules to Indonesia! They have their nationals load Indonesian boats with people and try and breach Australia. We just ensure they do not and with safety and compassion return them.
Dare I say that the vast majority of Australia whilst welcoming migrants do not want these lousy rotten people imposing themselves on us. The fact they are all back door merchants with enough bribe money absolutely ensures they could not get here legally. The government is certainly getting cheers from their supporters and even some of their detractors that they know they are doing what we want!
So a few lawyers and "Refugee advocates" miss out on some money, so what!

Binoy

It is not illegal to tow boats back towards Indonesia. It is not illegal to unintentionally broach maritime borders. The screeching we have heard from Indonesia and it's useful idiots does not reflect the realities of ocean navigation, and believe me at 12 nm from the coast you are on the high seas. The coast isn't visible and the actual 12nm limit is not necessarily as clear as you seem to expect.

Besides I'd gladly breech someone's sovereignty if it meant saving lives. Wouldn't you?

The only people deliberately breeching anybody's sovereignty are illegal immigrants on Indonesian boats attempting to illegally enter Australia.

So Australia's policy isn't brazen. It is audacious in the face of Indonesia's refusal to assist Australia ensuring the sovereignty of it's own borders.

Neither is Australia's policy or it's implementation incompetent. It is hugely effective and has benefitted the ungrateful Indonesians just as it has Australia. Not only has there been no illegal immigrants arrive in Australian detention centres for nearly 2 months, but, by all accounts, the numbers of intending illegal immigrants entering Indonesia has hugely reduced.

And by the way there have been no deaths at sea on this government's watch.

Why can't you see the wood for the trees and give some credit for the great humanitarian success of this government, in saving lives, instead of bleating negatively about some, by comparison, very minor slight to our Indonesian neighbours.

Try to praise the good instead of bleating about the bad...for a change.

There are some who have yet to accept the decision of the Australian people last federal election.

The government is doing what was demanded of it by the Australian people.

The smugglers' business model is not working. As for Indonesia, these are vessels operating under the Indonesian flag and with Indonesian skippers and crews. The international rules are plain and the Australian navy is not only doing what is legal but is operating in an exemplary way by intercepting and where necessary towing back or putting people in safe craft to return to from whence they came.

Ultimately it all depends on whether one is on the side of the Australian people or not I suppose. Australia says 'NO' to illegal immigrants and people smugglers.

Isn't it interesting, it is these academics, who have managed to get their hands deep into the taxpayers hip pocket for themselves, are the ones who want to spend our money on so much more useless flotsam.

After we have wasted so much on educating & employing these useless people, they have the hide to try to dictate to us, their employer, how we should think, & spend what little money we have left.

Get a life kid, try working for your living, & do as you are told when being paid by us.

In a slight turn on the old audition advice, Don't tell us, we'll tell you, & your mates.

Indonesia Governments lie, Australian Governments lie, c'mon folks it really is down to who can tell the biggest lie, and we nitwits believe what we are being told., we now find out fifty years later the truth of past events, so may have to wait another fifty years for present day truths, most of us will be dead by then, the younger generation in the future will not care too hoots of past events and sacred waters as of now.