PM flips sides on Turnbull briefing

SCOTT Morrison has backtracked on Malcolm Turnbull’s role in an official trip to Indonesia, revealing the former prime minister was briefed on trade negotiations and a possible embassy move.

While at an oceans conference in Bali, Mr Turnbull reported how angry Indonesia was about Australia’s potential move of an embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Prime Minister Scott Morrison originally said Mr Turnbull was not meant to discuss trade and the embassy with President Joko Widodo, but backtracked shortly afterwards.

“I invited Mr Turnbull to represent me at the oceans conference in Bali hosted by Indonesia and to be head of delegation,” Mr Morrison said in a statement yesterday. “As head of delegation, he was briefed on appropriate responses on other issues that could be raised in any direct discussions with the president, in his role as head of delegation.

“Accordingly there were briefings dealing with the issues he has referred to. The purpose of his attendance was the oceans conference.”

Earlier in the day, Mr Morrison had told 2GB radio a different story.

“I got the report back from his visit, he was there to actually attend an oceans conference, the issues of trade and other things of course were not really part of the brief,” Mr Morrison had said.

Then Mr Turnbull contradicted the prime minister.

“A few facts. (Mr Morrison) asked me to discuss trade and the embassy issue in Bali,” Mr Turnbull tweeted. “We had a call before I left to confirm his messages, which I duly relayed to (Mr Widodo). There was a detailed paper on the issue in my official brief as well.”

Mr Turnbull has a famously good relationship with Mr Widodo and his presence was seen as an effort from Australia to smooth over relations after the surprise embassy announcement.

Australia is also working on concluding a major free trade deal with Indonesia.

Asked whether Mr Turnbull would be sent on further government trips, Mr Morrison replied: “No.”

Under the rules for former prime ministers to access travel expenses, the incumbent prime minister must approve any international travel.

The government floated the prospect of shifting the embassy during the final week of the Wentworth by-election campaign.

HE (MALCOLM TURNBULL) WAS BRIEFED ON APPROPRIATE RESPONSES ON OTHER ISSUES THAT COULD BE RAISED SCOTT MORRISON