An Indonesian international relations expert says Tony Abbott's plan to buy leaky fishing boats in a bid to combat people smuggling will sour relations with the country.

The Opposition Leader has proposed a boat buy-back scheme that aims to stop old boats getting into the hands of smugglers.

Mr Abbott also wants to put millions of dollars into paying local "wardens" to keep watch and give rewards for information that gets smugglers arrested.

But Professor Hikmahanto Juwana of the University of Indonesia says the proposal is offensive and will not be popular with Indonesia's government.

"It will make Indonesia-Australia relations sour because, of course, Indonesia will not readily accept what is proposed by Australia," he said.

Professor Hikmahanto says paying bounties will encourage a culture of vigilantism.

He says the Opposition's proposals show a lack of understanding of Indonesia, and that it is not possible to buy every boat from the thousands of Indonesian villagers.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-26/indonesia-expert-says-coalition-asylum-policy-offensive/4913322

Tony Abbott faces fresh obstacles from Jakarta on his asylum-seeker policies after Indonesia's foreign minister appeared to reject Coalition plans to pay bounties for information that helps disrupt people-smuggling.

Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa has been reported as delivering a full-throated attack on the Coalition's asylum-seeker policy ahead of a planned visit to Jakarta by Prime Minister-elect Mr Abbott.
The Jakarta Post reported on Thursday that Dr Natalegawa had said Jakarta would reject plans to pay millions of dollars in bounties to Indonesian villagers for information on people-smuggling rackets.

"We will have a discussion with Abbott prior to the APEC Summit in October. We will reject his policy on asylum seekers and any other policy that harms the spirit of partnership," Dr Natalegawa said.
Fairfax Media has asked Dr Natalegawa's office to confirm the accuracy of the remarks and is awaiting a response. He reportedly made the comments at a meeting of the Indonesian parliament's foreign affairs commission.
The sharpness of the remarks is particularly notable as they come ahead of a trip Mr Abbott is expected to make within days to visit Indonesia

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/we-will-reject-abbotts-policy-on-asylum-seekers-indonesia-foreign-minister-marty-natalegawa-20130912-2tmkw.html#ixzz2eerpq6bk