ABC PM Program - Interview with James Glenday

PETER LLOYD: Julie Bishop says tourists might boycott Bali if Indonesia does execute the two ringleaders. It's the most direct public warning sent to Jakarta by the Foreign Minister so far.

The Indonesian embassy in Canberra says it's not worried about a backlash but it has issued a statement to its citizens in Australia, urging them to "remain calm" and "refrain from interfering" in political issues.

Julie Bishop spoke to James Glenday in Canberra a short time ago.

JULIE BISHOP: We are still in contact with the Indonesian authorities at the highest level, but we don't have any details as to when the proposed executions will take place.

JAMES GLENDAY: Many Australians would think that the method of execution in Indonesia is particularly brutal. This pair will be shot through the heart in the middle of the night.

Do you think this is going to damage our relationship with Indonesia?

JULIE BISHOP: Without doubt the Australian public's view is divided on this matter, but I think increasingly as people become aware of the details of this case and the fact that both Mr Sukumaran and Mr Chan have been rehabilitated, that they're deeply and sincerely remorseful for their actions, that they should not have to pay for this with their lives.

JAMES GLENDAY: At a diplomatic level, what will the Government do if these executions do indeed take place?

JULIE BISHOP: The Government has a number of options and we're exploring those, but no decision has been made. There has been a suggestion that we should withdraw our Ambassador. That is one option, but I also should point out that our Ambassador does have access to Indonesian authorities at a very high level and I wouldn't want to close off any lines of communication.

JAMES GLENDAY: Would you encourage Australian tourists to boycott places like Bali, or Indonesia more generally if these executions do take place?

JULIE BISHOP: Australians can make their own minds up about where they wish to holiday. That's a matter for each person to take into account what would make them holiday in one place rather than another, but I'm not going to say anything further on that matter.

JAMES GLENDAY: You and the Prime Minister have been very careful not to engage in so-called megaphone diplomacy, and there has been a lot of work done behind the scenes. But in the past few days you seem to be speaking more and more loudly on this. Is that a sign that you're not being heard in Jakarta, or not listened to?

JULIE BISHOP: We have made numerous representations over the years, in fact successive Australian governments have made high level representations. Their story of rehabilitation is one of which Indonesia can be proud. But to date the Indonesian government has rejected all of our representations and have pointed to their determination to deal severely with drug offenders, but I don't believe that the execution of these young men will produce any positive outcomes.

JAMES GLENDAY: Do you understand why the President is determined to put drug smugglers to death?

JULIE BISHOP: This is clearly a matter that he campaigned on in his last election. He has declared that drug trafficking is at national crisis levels. He's very concerned at the number of drug addicts in Indonesia and he has made a number of political statements in this regard.

JAMES GLENDAY: But of course he seeks clemency for his own citizens abroad. Is he a hypocrite?

JULIE BISHOP: Well this is a point that I have raised with the Indonesian government on numerous occasions. In fact I spoke again today with Foreign Minister Marsudi and reiterated to her the reasons why we believe that these drug offenders, having now been rehabilitated, should not be executed. Other countries have made very strong representations; the Netherlands, Brazil, Nigeria and others, yet it's come to nought. At this stage there has been no indication at all from the Indonesian government that they will change course.

PETER LLOYD: That's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop speaking there to James Glenday.