Spying row: Tony Abbott proposes security round table with Indonesia

Updated

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has called for a "security round table" with Indonesia as a way to move forward from the spying scandal that has shaken relations between the two countries.

Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono last night revealed some details of a letter Mr Abbott had sent in response to Indonesian concerns over spying.

Mr Yudhoyono said Mr Abbott had agreed to his proposal of a new code of conduct between the two countries, following revelations Australia tapped Mr Yudhoyono's phone, as well as that of his wife and ministers in 2009.

He also said Mr Abbott had agreed to enter into a new bilateral relationship with Indonesia.

Mr Abbott said this morning that he would reflect on Mr Yudhoyono's statement in the coming days.

"It was a very warm statement. It was a statement that was very positive about Australia," Mr Abbott told reporters in Canberra.

"What the president is proposing is that trusted envoys should meet in the next few days to resolve any outstanding issues in the relationship.

Spying affair not stopping cattle boats

It's a busy time for the live export trade to Indonesia, with ships still being loaded at Darwin's port.

"I think that's a good way forward and I'm going to reflect on the statement over the next day or so and then we'll be responding more fully."

Mr Abbott flagged the idea of a security round table to help resolve the relationship on a "strong and lasting basis".

"What I'd like to see some time in the future is some sort of security round table where we are more open with each other, where we build even stronger relationships and trust," he said.

"I want Australia to be Indonesia's trusted partner, just as I want Indonesia to be our trusted partner."

Mr Abbott's comments came as Trade Minister Andrew Robb broke ranks on the spying allegations during an appearance on the ABC's Business Today program.

"It is unfortunate that this taping that took place several years ago has been made public, but it's there, it's a fact of life we've got to deal with it and the Prime Minister is seeking to deal with it effectively," he said.

MPs from both sides of politics have been careful not to comment directly on the revelations to avoid confirming or denying that spying took place.

Mr Robb's office later released a statement saying he is not privy to intelligence matters, and Mr Robb has since back-tracked on the comments.

"I'm not privy to those sorts of security issues and so I am not in any place to make any comment on those issues," he said.

SBY says Abbott promised not to hurt relations

Meanwhile Mr Yudhoyono, responding last night to Mr Abbott's letter, said cooperation with Australia on things like people smuggling would not be restarted until the two countries agreed to a set of yet-to-be-written rules of behaviour.

Sorry, this video has expired Video: Indonesia demands Australia sign spying code of conduct (ABC News)

"[After] Indonesia has gained back its trust to Australia, and after those codes and protocol have been properly executed, then in my opinion the bilateral cooperation that clearly is mutually beneficial shall continue, including military and police cooperation," he said.

He said that in the letter, Mr Abbott made a promise to never again hurt relations between the two countries.

"The commitment of the Prime Minister of Australia that Australia will never do anything in the future that will bring disadvantage and disturb Indonesia," he said.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says he is pleased "that we're getting the first signs that there may be the possibility in the future of repairing the relationship".

"We want the repair job which is necessary on our relationship with our most important nearest neighbour to the north fixed up," he said.

"I won't start second-guessing the details of negotiations until we have had a proper briefing from the Government.

"But we are pleased that Indonesia is providing some initial signs of wanting to work with us.

"That is what matters here. Australia's interests, not Liberal or Labor."

Mr Yudhoyono's foreign affairs adviser says it could take a month or two to restart cooperation between the countries.

Mr Yudhoyono also says his foreign affairs minister will summon the ambassadors of Singapore and South Korea over reports their government helped Australia with its surveillance.

Uncertainty remains over trade

The spying row erupted earlier this month when leaked documents revealed that Australia had tapped Mr Yudhoyono's phone, as well as that of his wife and ministers in 2009.

Indonesia suspended all military and intelligence cooperation with Australia in response.

Commercial relations still remain in jeopardy, with Indonesia's trade minister Gita Wirjawan yesterday saying that his country is considering cutting Australian beef imports.

Indonesia is a major importer of Australian wheat, live cattle and beef, while Australia is Indonesia's 10th largest export market.

Mr Wirjawan, who was relaxed and at times jovial as he spoke to reporters, says the spying issue is an unfortunate issue that has damaged trust.

Topics: security-intelligence, foreign-affairs, government-and-politics, federal-government, indonesia, australia, asia

First posted