Corby Case Mustn't Derail New Friendship With Jakarta

Sun Herald

Sunday April 10, 2005

THESE are promising times in Australia's relations with Indonesia, our nearest and most important neighbour. After years of tension, the Bali bombing, the tsunami, the Sumatran earthquake and this week's tragic Australian helicopter crash on Nias have all served to bring Canberra closer to Jakarta. John Howard's description of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as a "true friend" this week was born out of relief and optimism.

There is no denying the two nations have become closer; it is not in Australia's interests to be in a diplomatic and political stand-off with Jakarta. Aside from anything else, it's bad for business.

But Australians shouldn't expect too much, too soon. Indonesia may want to be closer to us, but it isn't going to roll over to our wishes at the expense of its needs, customs and practices. Not now, not ever.

Schapelle Corby's fate is a case in point. Australia is treading an increasingly narrow line in its efforts to secure the 27-year-old alleged drug smuggler a fair trial. At the heart of any mature bilateral relationship is mutual respect for their respective judicial systems. By lobbying Indonesia hard on Corby, the Federal Government risks undermining the new-found mutual respect between us.

In true Javanese style, Yudhoyono has avoided confrontation about the Corby case during his visit here. But Jakarta has already made clear its views about lobbying the courts. Last month, a statement from its embassy said "trial by press" would weaken Corby's case. It reminded Australians that "as in all democratic countries, the government cannot interfere with legal proceedings".

The Indonesian leader has promised to watch the case closely and "make sure justice is there". That should be good enough for us. If it isn't, then our relationship still has a longer way to go than Howard is making out.

Justice Minister Chris Ellison is clearly under enormous public pressure to be seen to be acting on the Corby case. Lobbying the Indonesians about her possible return to an Australian jail if she is found guilty is within the bounds of diplomatic conduct. But such lobbying should not cross the boundary into active and unwarranted intervention. If we believe the Indonesians are our equals in such matters, we should be prepared to let them do the job. It's a matter of trust.

Corby's case also raises the question of whether we give equal value to every human life. Two Australians are already on death row in Asian jails in Vietnam and Singapore but their plights are less well known. They are all of Vietnamese extraction. No one has offered to go into "overdrive" to save their lives, as Ellison has on behalf of Corby.

No one can blame Corby's legal team and family making as much noise as possible. She has captured the public imagination and media time. Not since the Barlow and Chambers case in Malaysia in 1986 has an Australian accused of drug smuggling overseas been in such a persistent spotlight. But it is incumbent on the Australian Government to oil all squeaky wheels equally not just the one belonging to ex-beauty students. The court in Denpasar has yet to deliver a verdict, let alone a punishment. Corby is, as we write, innocent.

There are many challenges ahead for Australia in its relationship with Indonesia and other Asian powers, especially Malaysia. The strengthening of security and trade ties and moves to give us a look-in at the East Asian Summit are positive trends. The Howard Government should be applauded for its work on these fronts. But it needs to ensure its carefully constructed postures are not sacrificed on the altar of public opinion. Despite recent progress, it won't take much for the relationship to again be fuelled by mutual distrust.

* Responsibility for election comment in this issue is taken by Philip McLean, 201 Sussex Street, Sydney, 2000. The Sun-Herald is printed at 1 Worth Street, Chullora, 2190, by Fairfax Printers Pty Ltd, ACN 068 675 221, for the publisher John Fairfax Publications Pty Ltd, ACN 003 357 720, of 201 Sussex Street, Sydney, 2000. Postal address: GPO Box 506, Sydney, 2001.