wr2014_web_0

ASIAannounced a gift of two patrol boats to the Sri Lankan navy to combat peoplesmuggling. The Australian government was seemingly oblivious to the role SriLankan government abuses play in prompting outflows of ethnic Tamil asylumseekers.Abbott continued his predecessors’ foreign policy focus on the Asia-Pacificregion, declaring he would be an “Asia-first” prime minister. He also continuedthe practice of turning a blind eye to human rights abuses in neighboring countries.Abbott made Indonesia his first foreign visit as head of state inSeptember in order to seek cooperation on combatting “people smuggling,”with no mention of the rights of those seeking asylum. Australian aid remainedfocused on Asia and the Pacific, with Indonesia and Papua New Guinea the toptwo aid recipients. In September, the government said it would slashAustralia’s aid budget by US$4.2 billion over the next three years, reducing foreignaid spending from 0.37 percent to 0.32 percent of gross national income.297