In 2013 , prior to the election of the Abbott government , US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden had been granted asylum by Russia after handing over large amounts of confidential information from US government databases to world media . Australian – Indonesian diplomatic relations began to suffer in the early months of the government , as '' The Guardian '' and ABC News began to publish material , which had been made public due to Snowden 's leaking , suggesting that Australian spy agencies during the term of the previous government had spied on the Indonesian President and his wife . The alleged spying had taken place soon after the July 2009 bombing of Jakarta 's Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels . Indonesia recalled its ambassador over the affair
July 2009 bombing
2009 Jakarta bombings
Abbott Government