I'll get Jakarta onboard on boats, says Tony Abbott

THE border protection plan poses no threat, says Tony Abbott.

TONY Abbott insisted yesterday his government would be able to work effectively with its Indonesian counterpart, despite concerns raised in Jakarta as he launched his long-vaunted Operation Sovereign Borders.

Embarking on another front in his border protection plan, the Prime Minister spoke to Nauruan President Baron Waqa to discuss new measures to stop people-smugglers, including an expansion of the detention centre on the Pacific island.

As Australia's other regional partner, Papua New Guinea, hailed its asylum agreement struck with Labor as a success, Mr Abbott tried to allay concerns raised by Indonesian MP Mahfud Siddiq that the Coalition's plan would contravene Jakarta's sovereignty. "My argument is with people-smugglers. I have no argument with anyone in the Indonesian establishment or parliament," the Prime Minister said.

"Indonesia is a robust democracy, as Australia is. There are many voices in Indonesia, but I am very confident that this government will be able to work effectively with the Indonesian government, as former Coalition governments have done."

Mr Mahfud, the chairman of parliament's foreign affairs commission, said while Australia's handling of asylum boats in its waters was its legal prerogative, it had no authority to deal with them in international waters.

He rejected the Coalition's plan to pay informants and buy fishing boats to keep them out of the hands of smugglers as violation of Indonesian sovereignty, and called on Mr Abbott to go to Jakarta prepared to negotiate a policy.

Mr Mahfud rejected provocative comments by commission member Tantowi Yahya, who condemned the turn-back-the-boats policy.

"That is his personal opinion," Mr Mahfud said. "The commission has not discussed this policy (since Mr Abbott came to power)."

PNG Foreign and Immigration Minister Rimbink Pato declared the deal struck with Kevin Rudd was working, with boat arrivals plummeting by more than 60 per cent in the month following its signing on July 19.

"We expect these numbers to fall" further, "we are proud to combat the deadly trade of people-smugglers," he said.

Last weekend, 28 asylum-seekers at the Manus processing centre voluntarily returned home, with more than 30 others signalling an intention to follow suit.

Speaking in PNG parliament, Mr Pato said that last week there were 695 people at the Manus centre, including 503 Iranians, 38 Pakistanis, 41 Afghans, 30 Lebanese, 27 Iraqis and 10 Somalis.

Refugee assessments had been under way for two weeks on Manus, conducted by PNG immigration officials with assistance from Australians.

"I expect the first cohort of assessments to be submitted for my consideration in the near future," he said. Tabling a constitutional amendment, Mr Pato said a visa was being introduced to provide refugees with permanent residency and travel documents.

They would be provided with "a range of support" while they fulfilled the eight years' residence required before they can apply for citizenship.

This included assistance with housing, employment and language training funded by the Australian government.