Australia's solution for asylum seekers - send them to Singapore since they need workers. 
SEVENTY-EIGHT asylum seekers on board an Australian Customs ship face a further three days at sea after the Indonesians unexpectedly diverted the ship to a port near Singapore.
The new hitch in landing the Sri Lankans - who have been on the Oceanic Viking since Sunday - came as another boat, with 32 people on board, was intercepted near Christmas Island.
And the issue erupted in Federal Parliament, where Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull was forced to distance himself from a claim by maverick Liberal Wilson Tuckey that there could be terrorists on boats that come to Australia.
A reluctant Indonesia finally agreed to take the passengers on the Oceanic Viking after talks on Tuesday between Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Despite both Canberra and Jakarta hailing the ''humanitarian'' result, the asylum seekers have been beset by delays and confusion.
They were due to land at Merak in West Java, but Indonesian authorities told Canberra there was too much shipping activity there and a shortage of accommodation.
Local authorities were also concerned that their arrival would incite further resistance from 255 asylum seekers already in the port and who are refusing to leave their vessel.
Instead, the Oceanic Viking will sail to Tanjung Pinang on Bintan Island, three days' steaming from its location last night, and only 40 kilometres from Singapore.
An immigration detention centre at Tanjung Pinang was recently refurbished, partly with Australian aid money.
SEVENTY-EIGHT asylum seekers on board an Australian Customs ship face a further three days at sea after the Indonesians unexpectedly diverted the ship to a port near Singapore.
The new hitch in landing the Sri Lankans - who have been on the Oceanic Viking since Sunday - came as another boat, with 32 people on board, was intercepted near Christmas Island.
And the issue erupted in Federal Parliament, where Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull was forced to distance himself from a claim by maverick Liberal Wilson Tuckey that there could be terrorists on boats that come to Australia.
A reluctant Indonesia finally agreed to take the passengers on the Oceanic Viking after talks on Tuesday between Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Despite both Canberra and Jakarta hailing the ''humanitarian'' result, the asylum seekers have been beset by delays and confusion.
They were due to land at Merak in West Java, but Indonesian authorities told Canberra there was too much shipping activity there and a shortage of accommodation.
Local authorities were also concerned that their arrival would incite further resistance from 255 asylum seekers already in the port and who are refusing to leave their vessel.
Instead, the Oceanic Viking will sail to Tanjung Pinang on Bintan Island, three days' steaming from its location last night, and only 40 kilometres from Singapore.
An immigration detention centre at Tanjung Pinang was recently refurbished, partly with Australian aid money.
