Australia's PM dogged by a fortnight of asylum seeker politics

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Updated October 30, 2009 11:57:29

The focus on improving Australia-China relations could be a welcome distraction for the Australian Prime Minister from the politically challenging Sri Lankan asylum seeker standoff in Indonesia. Almost two weeks on there is still no solution to the fate of the 78 people on board the Australian customs vessel the Oceanic Viking moored in Indonesia.

And contradictory views abound on issues such as the conditions in which the Sri Lankans would be held; if they can be disembarked; whether there'll be a resort to force to get them off the ship; and whether Australia's handling of the situation has been appropriate.

Presenter: Sen Lam
Speaker: Linda Mottram, Canberra correspondent

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