There is a stronger push for Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott to apologise to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for eavesdropping on his phone calls.

An expert warned that Australia could lose its influence in Asia if Canberra does not say sorry for spying on its neighbour, while former Prime Minister Julia Gillard is urging her once nemesis to follow the example of U.S. President Barack Obama who apologised to German Chancellor Angela Merkel for Washington's spying on the German leader.

Anies Baswedan, an international communications expert and rector of Paramadina University, said on Thursday, quoted by Antara News, "If relations between the two countries worsen, Australia will be at a disadvantage because Indonesia is the gateway for Canberra's influence in Asia."

He pointed out that Jakarta has a strong bargaining position over Canberra and pushed Mr Abbott to issue an apology.

"Australia needs Indonesia more than Indonesia needs Australia," he added.

Ms Gillard, meanwhile, said that while it was not proper for her to comment on intelligence matters, she pointed to Mr Obama's handling of a similar espionage charge as a good example for Mr Abbott to follow.

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Ms Gillard said, quoted by CNN, "If he had been aware he wouldn't have authorised it, and he could certainly say for the future that it wouldn't happen again ... I think that's an appropriate response from Australia to Indonesia at his very difficult time."

Mr Baswedan said Indonesia must take a firm stand versus Australia since wiretapping is an inappropriate action that belittled Indonesian people.

Among the measures that Mr Yudhoyono put in place was to suspend all support for people smuggling cooperation, military cooperation, recall its ambassador to Australia and downgrade the diplomatic relationship between the two countries.

Mr Abbott's decision not to apologise has sparked protests against Australia.

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