Talks are underway to return members of the so-called Bali Nine drug smuggling ring to Australia, the federal trade minister has confirmed.
But he asserted that they would continue to serve their sentences and not be released.
The Australians were arrested in 2005 for attempting to smuggle heroin out of the Indonesian resort island.
Five remaining members Scott Rush, Matthew Norman, Si-Yi Chen, Martin Stephens and Michael Czugaj are serving life sentences in Indonesia for their involvement.
The prisoners would continue serving their sentences in Australia, minister Don Farrell said. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas
A member of the nine, Renae Lawrence, was released from prison in 2018 while Tan Duc Than Nguyen died of cancer the same year.
of two of the group’s ringleaders, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, in 2015 caused .
Bali Nine members ‘would continue to serve sentences’
Trade Minister Don Farrell said discussions were ongoing but confirmed the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had advocated on behalf of the Australians.
The prisoners would continue to serve their sentences in Australia under the proposal, he told Sky News on Sunday.
“The proposal isn’t, as I understand it, to release these people,” Farrell said.
“They would continue to serve their sentence, except they’re serving them in Australia.”
Albanese raised the prisoner issue during a meeting with Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in Peru, Australian Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones told reporters on Saturday.
Under the deal, Jakarta would seek the repatriation of Indonesian prisoners held in Australia, the country’s Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas told the Reuters news agency on Saturday.
Jakarta has no set procedures regarding international prisoner transfers but would work on the matter as soon as possible, Supratman said, stressing the counterpart country must recognise Indonesia’s judicial process.
“This is important to maintain a good relationship with friendly countries but this is also in our interest because we have prisoners abroad,” he said.
Bali Nine ringleaders Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan were executed in 2015. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas
‘Stand up and explain’
Opposition leagal affairs spokesperson Michaelia Cash urged the prime minister to “stand up and explain” the potential deal.
“Let’s be clear, in the first instance, these individuals, Australians, were part of a heroin-smuggling ring to bring back into Australia, in excess of eight kilos of heroin,” she told Sky News on Sunday.
“Drug offences are some of the worst offences our society sees because of the devastating consequences on people, including death.”
She called on the prime minister to confirm how the deal had been brokered, whether there would be a cost to the taxpayer, and whether they would continue to serve their full prison sentences in Australia.
” And if not, why not?” she said.
Bali Nine have served ‘more than enough time’, advocate says
However, a long-time prominent supporter of the members said they have served enough time and should be rehabilitated in Australia.
Bishop of Townsville Tim Harris has been in contact with Rush’s family for the past 19 years, revealing they are cautiously optimistic their son may be returned to Australia.
“It’s great news, and if this comes off there will be so much relief from the anguish of the last 20 years,” he told ABC Radio on Monday.
Bishop Harris said the remaining Bali Nine members have served “more than enough” time in prison but reiterated that he did not condone their actions two decades ago.
Bali Nine member Renae Lawrence was released from prison in 2018. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch
He said Rush’s parents are “desperately praying” their son will be released to Australia, saying it is the “right thing to do”.
“I’m talking about humanity and there’s a certain requirement for fellow human beings to reach deeply into our hearts at this moment and say, ‘Look, enough is enough, let’s get these people home’,” Bishop Harris said.
However, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said it was not helpful for anyone to be speculating about the Bali Nine’s release.
“I’m sure that the families of these remaining Australians that are in jail in Bali would love to see them on Australian soil as soon as possible,” she told Seven Network’s Sunrise.
“But any sort of speculation really is counterproductive at a time like this.”
