The recent rescue of 56 men and one woman and child, from their leaking wooden vessel in which they had been heading towards Christmas Island was initiated by two Australian ski boats, they were then transferred to a Customs-Border Security boat, one day travel then onto a navy ship and heading back to their homeland knowing well that some who tried this before had failed.
Naval officers informed them of what was happening, also that what they were attempting was illegal, and handed each a four page document, in all languages as there were around 7 different nationalities involved.
It appears the boat people were refused use of the navy phone which upset them quite, otherwise looked after as would be expected.
They were then transferred into orange navy rescue boats, given a satellite phone, GPS, compass and fuel enough to get them the three kms safely to Indo shores.
Unfortunately in the process, the ship has entered Indonesian waters. The Indonesian Govt. responded to our Govt. 'that this has damaged our relationship, breaching our right to protect our sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with international laws'. And of course our Govt. with tail between legs apologizes profusely. What?!
Arent we, as a Nation, under the same international laws? "£$%*

Sorry all. Re-posted this in a slightly different version on another active subject.

......How ever we all should understand a peaceful world demands mutual respect, compromise, and every one being heard in country,s views.

Too right Belly, so why is it that Indonisia does not respect our rights and blatantly allows for it's baggage to be sent off hear.

Why is it also that they can find navy ships to ward off ours, but can't find them to patrol their own waters.

They used to laugh at us under the watch of Rudd and Gillard, they are not laughing any more as they have come up against a government of action, not words.

Forget Malaysia, Abbott will put a stop to the boats. If it means kicking a few heads, then so be it.

Finally, one undeniable fact is that what ever Abbott does to address this problem, it is a problem that did not exist until Kevin Rudd had his little joy ride as leader.

A joy ride that has not only cost us dearly, but will continue to cost us for generations to come.

And too right anyone coming here to seek asylum from Middle Eastern or Indonesian war torn countries, must prove somehow, the threats to their lives, provide some form of identification to prove they are civilians, workers and innocent victims.
Most of the wars fought in these countries are based on ethnicity, religious followings, politics and conflicting interpretations of the past. A lot of extremes, and intolerance of conflicting ideals.
Surely before taking in anyone (because we don't have to) I for one would want total reassurance that we are not being sucked in, again, welcoming people who suspiciously look pretty ok, no evidence of war wounds or apparent suffering.

Surprise. Somehow come to find they are Military trained sadists who took part in the brutal slayings, rapes and murders of the innocents.
Though to fear capture and punishment they must have offended/betrayed a higher ranking male of their particular murderous group.
At present the Sri lankan Government is preparing for a meeting with the UNHRC, over war crimes and the slaying of 40 thousand civilians. But believes himself unanswerable to anyone and 'will protect his gallant troops in their fight to crush terrorism'.
Such a small country, so many clashing sects and due to egotistical, power hungry leaders, more innocent ones will die. Not at the hands of foreign terrorists but their own country men

The solution proposed by Kevin Rudd was the best one although he was too incompetent and incapable to do it. Send "refugees" to some dreadful place with no Centrelink and see how the numbers drop. Europe should adopt a similar policy.
I do want to assist poor desperate people too but not at the risk of allowing the people who make all the trouble which drives people into being refugees brought here. Then they do it all again.
If you want Sharia law go to a muslim country. If you like what Australia has then join us and be Australian. If you do not want to be Australian then stay away.

Jodelie, the scenario you posed as to what happened means that the
commander of the navy ship was well aware he was entering Indonesian
waters. Warships must have permission to enter another countries waters.
I believe the distance is 12 nautical miles. I doubt that they would
go as close as 3km which is close to 1.5 nautical miles.
So I suspect there is something very wrong with your story.
If the Customs boat had towed them to 3km that would be fine, no
problem as it is a civilian ship. Indeed they could have entered the
port and unloaded them at the dock. That is because they were
passengers on an Indonesian vessel.

Now the question is just where and when the naval ship entered the
Indonesian waters, or the commander thought he had permission because
he had answered a mayday call. Maybe he did but after they had been
picked up and transferred between ships that mayday situation may
well have concluded.
So you can see how complicated the situation is, like the ABC you may
well have gone off without understanding the situation.