Malcolm Turnbull says no one is “entirely comfortable” with Australia’s border protection policies, as tensions continue with Indonesia.



Speaking to the BBC on Tuesday, the communications minister said Australia’s border protection policies were harsh, but not cruel, and were necessary to stop people smuggling.

“I don’t think any of us are entirely comfortable with any policies relating to border protection," Turnbull said. He added that the Coalition’s policies were “in compliance with international law”.

“The fact is if you want to stop the people smuggling business you have to be very tough.”

The comments come amid renewed tension between Indonesia and Australia after reports that an asylum seeker boat was turned back to Indonesia with three additional passengers on board, according to a statement issued by the Indonesian navy.

Indonesia’s foreign minister, Marty Natalegawa, said on Tuesday that it was a “very serious development” if confirmed and he was critical of the Coalition’s policy.

Tony Abbott spoke to the Indonesian president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, over the phone on Tuesday and had committed to strengthening relations.

The shadow immigration minister, Richard Marles, said Australia needed to maintain a “sustainable and co-operative relationship” with Indonesia, and was critical of the reports that three people may have been placed on the asylum boat.

“If the allegations out there are true … it really does represent a significant development in the tactics being used by the government,” he said.

“What we need to hear is an assurance that the behaviour our government is engaged in is consistent with our international obligations.”

The Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said: “If people were loaded on to this boat before it was towed back into the open ocean and left to run aground in Indonesia, the government will have some serious questions to answer.”

The prime minister cancelled a meeting in Bali this week with Yudhoyono, citing the need to focus on next week’s budget, though there has been speculation the turnback may have influenced his decision.