This was published 12 years ago
Nice words this evening from the Coalition and Labor (who are both directly involved in this diplomatic crisis, given the phone tapping allegations date back to 2009).
And we note that Tony Abbott has stopped saying that Australia "should not be expected to apologise" for steps taken to protect itself, as he argued yesterday.
But will "regret" be enough, given the strength of Indonesia's response today and the call for a specific apology?
Until tomorrow.
Bill Shorten (who was due at Christmas drinks he was holding for the press gallery while all this is going on), rose to speak after the PM.
"We agree with the Prime Minister of Australia," he began. "There is not a more important relationship than with Indonesia."
The government and opposition must unite to improve and "repair" the relationship in a "timely way."
**We're breaking back into proceedings here because Tony Abbott and Bill Shorten have just addressed the House on Indonesia, following SBY's comments this afternoon (see 5.31 pm post).**
The PM began by saying he was "encouraged" by SBY's remarks today about the "strength of the relationship between Australia and Indonesia".
But added: "although obviously there are very serious issues which do need to be worked through in the near future between us".
"It wasn't going to be all beer and skittles."
That's just about it for us here at Parliament House.
What did we learn today?
The House is moving ever closer to a vote on the mining tax repeal (ETA 7 pm).
We can report that Clive Palmer is in the House (despite a scheduled press conference in Sydney this afternoon).
One supposes distances between capital cities are no great thing when you have a private jet.
Meanwhile, on matters Clive, Daniel Hurst has an update on Palmer making unsubstantiated mental health claims about Queensland Premier Campbell Newman (see 11.27 am post):
In August, when the Palmer United Party leader first accused Newman of having bipolar disorder, Palmer named two Queensland-GPs-turned-state-MPs in an attempt to justify the claims.
"Alex Douglas, a doctor, diagnosed that. Bruce Flegg diagnosed it. They both went to see him and explained he would have to get some treatment for it," Palmer told a business breakfast on the Sunshine Coast at the time.
"I am still waiting."
Um, do you know how to apologise without saying "sorry" in Indonesian?
FYI, here's the official DFAT take on Australia's relationship with Indonesia:
"Indonesia is one of Australia's most important bilateral relationships. Our countries enjoy a highly productive and broad-based partnership that encompasses business, education, defence, security and people-to-people links ...
Australia and Indonesia cooperate in practical ways on a wide range of international and regional issues ...