Indonesian MPs pass people smuggling bill

Indonesia's parliament has passed tough new laws aimed at combating people smuggling.
The new laws, passed by parliament on Thursday as part of a broad bill that overhauls much of the country's immigration system, introduces penalties of up to 15 years in prison for people convicted of people smuggling offences.
There are also new restrictions on refugees which only allow them to stay in Indonesia for a maximum of 10 years before being deported.
With Indonesia being the key departure point for asylum-seeker boats heading to Australia, the move to finally criminalise people smuggling is sure to be welcomed by Canberra.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has been under renewed pressure in relation to her asylum-seeker policy due to overcrowding in detention facilities, as well as Australia's failure to win support for her so-called East Timor solution.
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who promised in a historic speech to the Australian parliament last March that legislation outlawing people smuggling would be passed within months, is expected to sign off on the bill in the coming days.
Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor says the criminalisation of people smuggling in Indonesia is "a major step forward".
"Comprehensive and robust laws are essential to deter, investigate and prosecute people smuggling activity across our region," he told AAP.