Albanese’s environment minister Tanya Plibersek has refused to be drawn on details of a prisoner transfer that would see the members of the Bali Nine still serving life sentences in Indonesia return home to serve their time in Australian prisons.
The Australians were arrested in 2005 while attempting to smuggle heroin out of the Indonesian island.
Five members Scott Rush, Matthew Norman, Si-Yi Chen, Martin Stephens and Michael Czugaj remain in prison in Indonesia.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
Ringleaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were sentenced to death and executed in 2015, which caused outrage from the Australian public.
Renae Lawrence was released and deported to Australia in November 2018 and Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen died in hospital from stomach cancer earlier the same year.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reportedly lobbied the new Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the APEC conference in Peru this month, in a deal that could be carried out by Christmas.
Shadow Attorney-General Michaela Cash questioned the deal on Sky News on Sunday, demanding Albanese “stand up and explain” the deal.
“Let’s be clear, in the first instance, these individuals, Australians, were part of a heroin-smuggling ring to bring back into Australia, in excess of eight kilos of heroin,” Cash said.
“Drug offences are some of the worst offences our society sees because of the devastating consequences on people, including death.”
On Monday, Plibersek joined Nat Barr and Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce on Sunrise for Hot Topics, where Barr questioned her about the deal.
“Tanya, what are we giving up to get this deal across the line?” Barr asked.
However Plibersek refused to offer any details.
“I don’t think it helps delicate negotiations to be speculating in public. What I would say is wherever Australians get in trouble overseas, the Australian government tries to help them,” Plibersek replied.
“I am sure that the families of those remaining Australians in jail in Bali would love to see them back on Australian soil as soon as possible, but any sort of speculation, really, is counter-productive at a time like this.”
“Do Australians have a right to know what we’ve given up, though?” Barr pressed Plibersek.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate to be talking about any discussions between the Australian government and the Indonesian government at this time. It is a really delicate thing,” Plibersek said.
“Whenever Australians are in trouble overseas, Australian consular services go out of their way to help. These people have been in jail for almost 20 years now in Bali and I’m sure that their families and many Australians would like to see them back on Australian soil.”
Joyce said he would leave it up to the “minister” to discuss the issue.
“You hear about the crime and, of course, you’re furious because it hurts so many people. You meet the parents and of course you feel a sense of sympathy and compassion,” Joyce said.
“I will leave it up to the shadow minister to discuss that issue. I think my participation from here really doesn’t add to the conversation.
“I will leave it up to them. Michaelia has every right to ask questions, but I don’t think it’s assisted by me (speaking about it).”