Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I wish to inform the House that our ambassador in Indonesia has informed me that the Indonesian Supreme Court has today accepted Scott Rush's appeal against his death sentence and has instead sentenced him to life.

Australians will greet this decision with relief. The Australian government welcomes this decision by the Supreme Court. It is a bipartisan policy in this country that we oppose the death penalty. The government remains in close touch with Mr Rush and his family. Mr Rush's parents have been informed. His parents have shouldered a heavy burden over these years of waiting.

There are, of course, two other Australians on death row in Indonesia, and Mr Chan and Mr Sukumaran have also launched judicial appeals against their death sentences. We will continue to provide consular support to both men and their families.

Having spoken to the Rush family, who come from Brisbane, on a number of occasions over a period of time, I am sure the family will welcome this decision with great relief.

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