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Meeting the President Could be Awkward

Monday, 5th June, 2006

A revolt by his own backbenchers threatens to disrupt Prime Minister John Howard's plan to restore friendly relations with Indonesia .

Mr Howard is planning to visit Indonesia for talks with President Suslio Bambang Yudhoyono later this month.

Before the meeting takes place the Australian Parliament is scheduled to vote on changes to immigration law designed to avoid further Papuan refugees from Indonesia settling here. There is a real chance that Mr Howard's law will not be passed.

I wrote last Thursday of the disquiet among small "l" liberals in the House of Representatives. (See Will the liberal Liberals emerge .) I am now aware of several Coalition Senators contemplating a vote against the legislation.

A parliamentary defeat would be very embarrassing for Mr Howard. The promised change to Australia 's immigration law was designed specifically to appease the Indonesian President.