7 July 2013
Subjects: Relationship with Indonesia, ‘Turn back the boats’ policy, Egyptian leadership crisis, pink batts, AWU scandal, Labor Party leadership
E&OE…
BARRIE CASSIDY Now we go to Singapore where we're joined by the Shadow Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop.
Good morning, welcome.
JULIE BISHOP Good morning Barrie.
BARRIE CASSIDY Can we start on asylum seekers. Do you take on board the expressed wishes now of the Indonesian President that countries not take unilateral action that could jeopardise operations?
JULIE BISHOP I understand why Indonesia would want such a provision in a communique with Kevin Rudd because when Kevin Rudd was prime minister, he unilaterally took action to change Australia's laws that had worked to stop the boats and without referring to Indonesia, without going through the Bali process, he weakened our border protection laws and that has sparked this whole crisis.
Thousands and thousands of people later and 750 boats under Labor's watch. But what we must never forget is that hundreds and hundreds of people have died at sea trying to make this dangerous voyage to Australia.