Following a meeting between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, discussions concerning the return of the five remaining Bali Nine members to Australia are underway.
The imprisonment of the five Australians was discussed at the APEC summit in Peru on Nov. 16.
Indonesia’s Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas told Reuters his government had agreed to return the remaining members of the Bali Nine to Australia. He said it will also seek repatriation of Indonesian prisoners held in Australia.
“This is the president’s discretion, but in principle, the president has agreed on humanitarian grounds,” Supratman said.
He said Jakarta has no set procedures concerning international prison transfer but would work on the matter promptly, noting that the judicial process of Indonesia must be recognised and respected.
Who Are the Bali Nine?
In 2005, nine Australians were imprisoned in Bali for attempting to smuggle 8.3 kilograms (18 pounds) of heroin out of Indonesia and into Australia.
The ring leaders of the group, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were executed in 2015 and another member, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, died of stomach cancer in jail in 2018.
The 2015 executions impacted the diplomatic relationship between the two nations, with Australia recalling its ambassador to Indonesia in protest.
The only woman in the group, Renae Lawrence, had her sentence commuted in 2018, but five of the original group remain in prison serving life sentences.
Reaction of the Coalition
Shadow Attorney-General Michaelia Cash said it was “almost inexplicable” that Albanese had not explained the decision.“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 Australia.
“Drug offences are some of the worst offences our society sees because of the devastating consequences on people, including death.”
Cash said the prime minister needed to be upfront with Australians about who was paying for the deal and what Australia is giving up in return.
Labor Response
Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farell said Albanese’s role is to represent Australian interests abroad and noted discussions were ongoing.“The proposal isn’t, as I understand it, to release these people. They would continue to serve their sentence, except they’re serving them in Australia,” he told Sky News.
Farell said that it’s clear the prime minister has advocated for the imprisoned Australians. “We'll see what happens in the days and the weeks ahead,” he said.
