Scott Morrison tells Joko Widodo Australia will decide on embassy move by Christmas
(The Guardian Indonesia)

Labor says prime minister has created an `utter debacle´ over possible relocation of embassy in IsraelScott Morrison has told the Indonesian president that Australia will make a decision on relocating its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem by Christmas, and insists his government is motivated by wanting to see progress towards a two-state solution.The fraught meeting with Joko Widodo kicked off Morrison´s program at the Asean summit in Singapore, and followed a warning from the Indonesian trade minister, Enggartiasto Lukita, that Jakarta will not sign off on a free-trade deal with Canberra if the Morrison government shifts the embassy. Related: Labor accuses Peter Dutton of lying to politicise national security If Indonesia really wants to dictate Aus foreign policy on the middle east, should we rethink the $360 million each year we give them in aid? Instead, how about we calmly finalise this FTA which will lift many Indonesians out of poverty and assist Australian farmers and jobs. Related: Farmers welcome Coalition`s $2bn plan to help small businesses secure loans Continue reading...