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April 2nd, 2013 
Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr speaks to journalists after paying his respect at Bali bomb monument, background, in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia, Tuesday, April 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)
Source: AP
FOREIGN Minister Bob Carr has called on the Coalition to put politics aside and support the Malaysia people swap deal for the good of the nation.
Speaking in Indonesia ahead of a two-day Bali Process meeting on people smuggling Senator Carr said Tony Abbott should do more to work towards a solution on the asylum-seeker issue.
“What I want the opposition in Canberra to do is put Australia’s interests before politics,” Senator Carr said.
“Enabling that Malaysia deal to proceed is something very specific that would be humane and honour Australia’s borders.”
The government abandoned its Malaysia Solution after the High Court ruled it unlawful in 2011. It was never brought to parliament for a vote, however the Coalition have said they would oppose it.
Under the deal Australia was to send 800 asylum-seekers to Malaysia in return for accepting 4000 already processed refugees.
Senator Carr is attending the meeting in Bali along with Immigration Minister Brendan O’Connor and the head of the government’s people smuggling inquiry Angus Houston. He is co-chairing the forum with Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa.
Other countries, such as Afghanistan will also take part in the talks.
Australia is understood to be planning to ask Indonesia to do more to crack down on corrupt police who take bribes to enable the people smuggling trade.
Indonesia is expected to ask Australia to take more refugees through official channels to lighten their burden.
The issue of human trafficking and slavery will also be addressed at the meeting, including devising laws that would criminalise the practice.
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