Pubdate: 25 Feb 2005
Source: Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
Copyright: 2005 The Sydney Morning Herald
Contact:  http://www.smh.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/441
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

CORBY NEEDS MORE HELP: DEMOCRATS

The federal government should be doing more to ensure Gold Coast woman 
Schapelle Corby gets a fair trial in Bali, the Australian Democrats said.

Corby is accused of smuggling more than 4kg of cannabis onto the island 
last October - an offence which carries the death penalty.

Democrats justice spokesman Brian Greig said the federal government should 
be doing more for Corby instead of picking and choosing which Australian 
citizens, who find themselves in trouble overseas, it decides to help.

Senator Greig said while it was good news Gold Coast entrepreneur Ron Bakir 
had sponsored a legal team to help Corby, it was a sad indictment on the 
government such aid had to come from the private sector.

"Here is a young Australian who is facing the death penalty if she is 
convicted of these charges," Senator Greig said.

"The government should be taking every step possible to ensure that she 
receives a fair trial and if the worst occurs, that she is not executed. 
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"Instead, it has been left to a well-meaning private individual to send 
legal help to do what the government should be doing."

Senator Greig said in cases where the death penalty was at stake, there was 
an even more urgent need for the government to provide assistance.

Lawyers for Corby, who proclaims her innocence, have argued there were 
serious anomalies in statements about her travel movements before arriving 
in Bali, which the Australian government could help clear up.