Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

This is a serious matter and it is a serious question from the Leader of the Opposition. As I said yesterday, I deeply and sincerely regret the embarrassment that media reports have caused to President Yudhoyono who is a very good friend of Australia—perhaps one of the very best friends that Australia has anywhere in the world. I do understand how personally hurtful these allegations, these reports, have been for him and his family.

I do note that there have been allegations and even admissions in the past on this subject. People did not overreact then and I certainly do not propose to overreact now. My intention, notwithstanding the difficulties of these days, is to do everything I reasonably can to help to build and strengthen the relationship with Indonesia which is so important for both our countries.

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