As a matter of FACT I come from country which STILL have free education !
I am aware of IATA regulations etc etc ...
But as I said ... I do not rely on written law and regulations so much as common practice (REALITY) !
And I allow my mistake on this subject due to lack of experience on deportation issues
Seems like Indo. Immigration is more powerful than multimillion companies ! Which I doubt ...
At the end .. its all about $$$ !
Who is gaining what and from who .. we cant tell from this perspective !
But one thing is granted (in this "case") .. its Aus. traveler "loss" now !
Now you HAVE to buy return ticket, right away .. and probably risk the usage of same ..
Because of visa extensions and flight cancellations-changes (if possible on extra fee) later !
And who gains from that ?
Well free education doesn't seem to be working, as I'm not sure if this is a answer or question.
So if you are aware of IATA you understand that travel agent & airlines use these rules around the world not just in Australia?
IATA rule for Indonesia are set by Indonesian Immigration not the Australian Government?
If in Australia the travel agent check your passport & if you need a visa. At the airport the check-in staff check your passport & visa requirements.
If you are booked on a flight for Indonesia, The Indonesia Immigration set out rules so you can enter Indonesia.
Now these rules are simple odez999 so you should not have toooooo much trouble understanding them.
30 day VOA you must show a passport with your name & photo on it & a return ticket no later then 30 days or if extending the visa no later than 60 days.
Now I think the VOA has been around since 2000 I think, before that your passport & return ticket were sent to the Indonesian embassy.
Flight cancellation-changes would be up to your airline not the Australian or Indonesia governments?
Now the bit about the Australian government helping there citizen, I hope that happens with all governments But not so with your government?
As Australian Citizen we hope the Australian government will do everything within the
law to help us if we get into trouble.
So when Ansett went down the Australia government, did not pay for return ticket to Australia, for all the tourist that were stuck here.
Miss Corby & Bali 9 are still in jail, the Australian government did not pass any brown paper bags to have them sent back to Australia.
Australian government still gives foreign aid to the Indonesia government even with Australian citizen in Indonesian jails.
Not sure this has covered all you question odez999 but please post again.