Wednesday, August 24, 2005
“I didn’t do it”
So far, this excuse hasn’t worked for Schapelle Corby, the convicted Australian drug smuggler facing a 15-year stretch in a Bali prison.

Therefore, if Michelle Leslie - caught in Bali with two ecstasy tablets in her handbag at a dance party - wants to escape prison, she is going to need a better defence than that.

Fellow Australian, 20 year old Graham Clifford Payne is also in deep trouble. He is facing death by firing squad if convicted of trafficking, after being caught with more than 2000 pills and syringes in Sumatra.

Prime Minister John Howard has played the warm and caring role: he has simply labelled Leslie and Payne ‘stupid’. ‘Our Schapelle’ was sent down less than two months ago, about the same time that nine other Australians were rounded up trying to ship heroin out of Bali.

Howard said "It's beyond belief that any Australian could be so stupid as to carry drugs into any country in Asia."

So once again - rightly or wrongly - the Indonesian justice system will come under Channel 7 scrutiny and no doubt, criticism. But how would a young party-goer be treater in Sydney, if caught red handed with two ecstasy tablets?

It seems this time the Australian Government has washed its hands immediately. If Payne is sentenced to death there will be appeals for clemency (as the death penalty is opposed by Australia), but otherwise they are on their own.

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