“Now, the Coalition pretend that houses aren’t being built. You are here,” Albanese said.

The report about Russia’s attempts to base long-range aircraft in Indonesia sparked a heated political debate on the campaign trail. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch

But in the fierce afternoon sun, the publication of a report on the military website Janes about a request for the Kremlin to base Russian Aerospace Forces in the Indonesian province of Papua led to a backyard grilling.

Initially, it was Albanese trying to stick to a rehearsed message about efforts by Australian officials to clarify the reports, alongside underscoring the strength of the relationship with Indonesia. But that left questions unanswered, and a void for the Opposition to fill.

The story referred to documents, which were not published, but purportedly showed Russia “seeks to base several long-range aircraft at the Manuhua Air Force Base, which shares a runway with the Frans Kaisiepo Airport”.

Peter Dutton at a press conference after visiting a new Melbourne housing development on Wednesday. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

The suggestion that Vladimir Putin wanted to move long-range military hardware to an area within 1,300 kilometres of Australia provoked a strong reaction from Dutton, who was soon fronting the cameras himself.

“Did the prime minister know about this before it was publicly announced by the president of Indonesia [Prabowo Subianto], and what is the government’s response to it?”

“It was a mistake. And I’m happy to admit that,” Dutton replied.

 “You’re assuming the Janes report is correct and there is no basis for you assuming that,” he said.

“When it comes to any challenges to regional stability, they are more likely to arise from the rotational deployment of large military contingents from extra-regional states on Australian territory, including the provision of airfields for the landing of strategic bombers and port infrastructure for visits by nuclear-powered submarines.”

Russian cooperation is not a ‘wild idea’

David Andrews, senior manager for policy engagement at the Australian National University’s National Security College, has been monitoring the unfolding story and said Russia seeking to use the base is plausible.

Indonesia has also formally signed up to BRICS, an international grouping that includes Russia, China and Iran.

Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto (left) shakes hands with first deputy prime minister of Russia Denis Manturov during a meeting this week. Source: AAP / Indonesian President Press Office/TASS/Sipa USA

“Russia, as I understand it, has made a similar request in 2017 and been rebuffed at the time,” Andrews said.

But he said the global security environment is changing.

Russia has form for meddling in foreign elections too, but Andrews said it’s important to note the request was reported to have been made in February.

“It’s actually in some ways in their interests to be a bit obtuse and to not give a clear answer, because that means that we keep on second-guessing ourselves, that we get, sort of get in our own heads,” Andrews said.