Tuesday 31^st May 2005

Of the people and for the people

• the allegations are hard to believe
• the handling of evidence was outrageous
• the sentencing is unjust, particularly when compared to the Bali bombing convictions
• too many (concerning) questions exist about baggage handlers and drug trafficking

The Howard government seems unable or unwilling to reassure the people of Australia that one of our citizens (it could be you) on foreign soil will be provided with effective support when needed.

John Howard's sincerity needs to be confirmed. Months ago he expressed an understanding of Australians' interest in the case and that we would have to wait for the evidence and that the Indonesian justice system would have to treat her properly. But when the verdict was handed down, Howard admitted he was ignorant of the evidence, would withhold judgement and would not seek an alternative to the judgement of the court. Consider the following quotes from Howard:

In February, Alan Jones asked John Howard, "Is she getting a fair go, Schapelle Corby?"

John Howard responded, "Well she's getting all the consular advice that she can be given. She has been arrested and obviously we have to wait and hear the evidence. The Indonesian justice system clearly will have to treat her properly, I'm not suggesting it isn't at this stage, it's too early to make any judgement about that, but I mean I understand the interest of many Australians in this." - John Howard, interview with Alan Jones, Radio 2GB, 7th February 2005

But when the sentence was handed down, John Howard said, "I will not seek any alternative other than to accept the decision of the court. I didn't hear the evidence, and at no stage have I expressed a view because I am in no position to do so, and I think it is quite wrong of me in my position to express a view either way." - John Howard, press conference 27th May 2005

Though, Howard obviously didn't think it wrong to express "either way" about the outcome of a court case in Indonesia in 2003. It was a "mixed reaction", as he called it, almost two years earlier regarding the sentencing of Abu Bakar Bashir in relation to his involvement with terrorist bombings:

"On the other hand, because many of us here in Australia believe that he was at least the spiritual leader of JI, and therefore at least knew about the attack in Bali, we're disappointed that he wasn't convicted on that and didn't get a longer sentence." - John Howard, Interview with Jon Faine, Radio 3LO, 3rd September 2003

With such contradictions and "shifts" in position, I can only wonder if our Prime Minister, Mr John Howard, was ever intending to ensure an Australian citizen on foreign soil was being fairly dealt with.

(C)opyright Sylvano Lucchetti.