Indonesia outraged at report Australia paid people smugglers

(ANSA) - Sydney, June 15 - Relations between Indonesia and Australia plummeted after Jakarta accused Canberra of paying people smugglers to take illegal migrants to the Indonesian coast rather than to Australia, diplomatic sources said Monday.
    The Indonesian government summoned the Australian ambassador over the claims, which the conservative Australian government of Tony Abbott has declined to confirm or deny.
    The Office of the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organisation of Migrants (OIM) have demanded an explanation of the claims.
    The allegations have sparked a furore within the Australian opposition, which is already up in arms over the government's hardline position on immigration.