Post by Anja Nieser on Sept 15, 2006 10:17:00 GMT -5
PM happy over death penalty stance
Prime Minister John Howard says he will wear criticism he has double standards for opposing death penalties for Australians, but not asking for clemency for the Bali bombers.
Mr Howard said when it came to the Bali bombers on death row, he could not find it in his heart to ask for clemency.
Mr Howard made the comments when asked what his government will do on behalf of the six Bali Nine members facing the death sentence for trying to smuggle 8.3kg of heroin to Australia last April.
"I'm against the death penalty," he told Southern Cross Broadcasting.
"I'm certainly against the death penalty being applied to Australians.
"If you're going back to my reaction in relation to the Bali bombers, I cannot find it in my heart to publicly ask the Indonesian government to spare the lives of the people who murdered 88 Australians.
"I'm sorry, but if people think that means I've got a double standard, and some will say that, I will have to cop that criticism."
Mr Howard said it was a matter of common sense, in relation to Australians, that he did not believe in the death penalty.
"I don't believe in it in Australia because the law can make mistakes, that's my pragmatic reason," he said.
"It follows from that, that we will always argue for clemency for Australians."
He said the government had already spent a lot of money on behalf of the nine Australians sentenced in Bali, notably 20-year-old Scott Rush, one of those facing execution.
"I've met Mr and Mrs Rush. They came to see me in Sydney some weeks ago," he said.
"They're very nice people and I feel desperately sorry for them.
"I'll check the figure (but) I think we've provided already more than $100,000 in legal assistance.
"Whatever is reasonably available will be provided."
He said he would let the appeal process run its course and, after it had been exhausted, and if Rush was still facing the death penalty, he would ask the Indonesian president to exercise clemency.
© 2006 AAP
Prime Minister John Howard says he will wear criticism he has double standards for opposing death penalties for Australians, but not asking for clemency for the Bali bombers.
Mr Howard said when it came to the Bali bombers on death row, he could not find it in his heart to ask for clemency.
Mr Howard made the comments when asked what his government will do on behalf of the six Bali Nine members facing the death sentence for trying to smuggle 8.3kg of heroin to Australia last April.
"I'm against the death penalty," he told Southern Cross Broadcasting.
"I'm certainly against the death penalty being applied to Australians.
"If you're going back to my reaction in relation to the Bali bombers, I cannot find it in my heart to publicly ask the Indonesian government to spare the lives of the people who murdered 88 Australians.
"I'm sorry, but if people think that means I've got a double standard, and some will say that, I will have to cop that criticism."
Mr Howard said it was a matter of common sense, in relation to Australians, that he did not believe in the death penalty.
"I don't believe in it in Australia because the law can make mistakes, that's my pragmatic reason," he said.
"It follows from that, that we will always argue for clemency for Australians."
He said the government had already spent a lot of money on behalf of the nine Australians sentenced in Bali, notably 20-year-old Scott Rush, one of those facing execution.
"I've met Mr and Mrs Rush. They came to see me in Sydney some weeks ago," he said.
"They're very nice people and I feel desperately sorry for them.
"I'll check the figure (but) I think we've provided already more than $100,000 in legal assistance.
"Whatever is reasonably available will be provided."
He said he would let the appeal process run its course and, after it had been exhausted, and if Rush was still facing the death penalty, he would ask the Indonesian president to exercise clemency.
© 2006 AAP