By PETER DOUGLAS
DURING her visit to Healesville last Thursday, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop offered comfort to those in the region supporting the Bali Nine clemency bid.
Presently, the fate of duo Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran remains unclear, after a recent delay opened yet another window for appeal.
This issue is particularly relevant to this region, with ‘the Mail’ recently highlighting the story of Emerald’s Marry Farrow, who has worked closely with Mr Chan and Mr Sukumaran at Kerobakan Prison.
She has helped to support their educational and arts programs, while advocating strongly for their clemency.
Ms Farrow also earlier this month attended Australian artist Ben Quilty’s candlelight vigil for the pair in Sydney.
Ms Bishop informed ‘The Mail’ she was particularly close to this issue, having spoken to them only the day before her Healesville visit, via the Consul-General’s telephone.
“It was a very moving phone call,” Ms Bishop said.
“They were very grateful and relieved there was a delay and expressed their deep gratitude for the Australian Government and the Australian people.
“They were determined to go back to what they were doing.
“Myuran is a painter, while Andrew is now studying theology and has become a priest.”
Ms Bishop said the Government would continue to support their clemency bid.
“What we are seeking to do is engage with Indonesia, on every level of government, particularly the decision-makers,” she said.
“We are seeking to persuade them that there will be no benefit from executing two Australian citizens who have been rehabilitated in such an extraordinary way.
“We are taking this time to press their case and ask their pleas for clemency are considered.”
Despite their crime, Ms Bishop was confident the pair could become valued members of society.
“We don’t underestimate the gravity of their crimes, they must repay their debt to their society,” she said.
“They are actually contributing positively to other prisoners in the Indonesian prison system.
“I actually commend Indonesia that two prisoners have been able to rehabilitate their lives in their prison system.”
