Hopes are high that the remaining members of the Bali Nine could be back on Australian soil by the end of the year, following a breakthrough meeting between Indonesian and Australian officials.
A Deal in the Works
Indonesia’s Minister for Law, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, handed over a draft proposal to Australia’s Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke, during a meeting in Jakarta on Tuesday. The proposal outlines a potential deal for the repatriation of the five remaining Bali Nine members still behind bars in Indonesia.
While some details still need to be ironed out, both sides are optimistic that an agreement can be reached soon. “We hope that we can finalise this matter… this December,” Yusril said.
A Significant Step Forward
Burke described the proposal as “a significant step forward” and praised the “significant goodwill” shown by the Indonesian government. However, he acknowledged that there are still some hurdles to overcome before a final deal can be reached.
The Bali Nine Saga
The Bali Nine were a group of nine young Australians who were arrested in 2005 for trying to smuggle heroin into Australia. The group, which included Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, who were later executed in 2015, were caught after a tip-off from the Australian Federal Police to the Indonesian authorities.
The botched smuggling attempt sparked a dramatic series of events, with video footage of the arrest dominating Australian headlines for weeks. The group was convicted of drug smuggling and given sentences ranging from 20 years to death.
The Long Road to Repatriation
After 19 years in prison, the remaining five members of the Bali Nine are now potentially just weeks away from returning home. The five men – Scott Rush, Matthew Norman, Si-Yi Chen, Martin Stephens, and Michael Czugaj – are currently scattered across Indonesia’s overcrowded prison system.
However, a formal agreement between Australia and Indonesia is still needed before they can be repatriated. Indonesia is reportedly seeking the repatriation of Indonesian prisoners held in Australia as part of any deal.
A New Era of Cooperation
Despite the challenges, both governments are keen to make progress on prisoner exchanges. Indonesia’s new president, Prabowo Subianto, is said to be driving the push for prisoner exchanges with Australia and other countries.
“The Indonesian government is very serious about this,” Yusril said. “Mr Prabowo really wants it to be as soon as possible.”
What Happens Next?
As negotiations continue, the chances of the Bali Nine finally returning home are looking brighter than ever. With a bit of luck and goodwill, these five men could be reunited with their families in time for Christmas.