<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>335393</docID> <postdate>2024-12-15 18:25:30</postdate> <headline>Remaining Bali Nine members back on Australian soil</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-335394" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241124110175999879-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>The five remaining Bali Nine members have returned to Australia from Indonesia. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><strong>The five remaining members of the Bali Nine drug smuggling ring are back in Australia after serving more than 19 years in jail in Indonesia.</strong></p> <p>Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen and Michael Czugaj arrived in Australia from Indonesia on Sunday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement.</p> <p>Their future custodial status remains unknown, with the prime minister saying they would "have the opportunity to continue their personal rehabilitation and reintegration here in Australia".</p> <p>"We would like to convey our deep appreciation to the government of Indonesia for its co-operation to facilitate the men's return to Australia on humanitarian grounds," Mr Albanese, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said in a joint statement on Sunday.</p> <p>"This reflects the strong bilateral relationship and mutual respect between Indonesia and Australia."</p> <p>The five repatriated Australians were among nine arrested in 2005 after trying to smuggle heroin and had been behind bars serving life sentences in Bali.</p> <p>Mr Albanese acknowledged the men had committed "serious offences" but said it was "time for them to come home".</p> <p>"Australia respects Indonesia's sovereignty and legal processes and we appreciate Indonesia's compassionate consideration of this matter," he said.</p> <p>He said the government would "continue to co-operate" with Indonesia to counter narcotics trafficking and transnational crime.</p> <p>"Australia shares Indonesia's concern about the serious problem illicit drugs represents," he said.</p> <p>Mr Albanese thanked President Prabowo Subianto for Indonesia's co-operation and commitment to working with Australia on the men's return.</p> <p>"I have conveyed my personal appreciation to President Prabowo for his act of compassion," he said.</p> <p>Bali Nine ringleaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were executed in 2015, sparking a diplomatic incident with Australia, while Renae Lawrence was released in 2018 and Tan Duc Than Nguyen died of cancer the same year.</p> <p>The Australian government had consistently advocated for the men and provided consular support to them and their families.</p> <p>"We ask that the media respect the privacy of the men and their families at this time," Mr Albanese said.</p> <p>Jakarta was reportedly seeking the repatriation of Indonesian prisoners held in Australia as part of any deal to bring the Bali Nine members home.</p> </body>