Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister: can the Prime Minister please advise the parliament what progress has been made to restore Australia's relationship with Indonesia since his statement?

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This is a serious matter and it is a serious question from the Leader of the Opposition. As I said yesterday, I deeply and sincerely regret the embarrassment that media reports have caused to President Yudhoyono who is a very good friend of Australia—perhaps one of the very best friends that Australia has anywhere in the world. I do understand how personally hurtful these allegations, these reports, have been for him and his family.

I do note that there have been allegations and even admissions in the past on this subject. People did not overreact then and I certainly do not propose to overreact now. My intention, notwithstanding the difficulties of these days, is to do everything I reasonably can to help to build and strengthen the relationship with Indonesia which is so important for both our countries.