The execution of two Australian drug smugglers in Bali is expected to have widespread ramifications in Australia and Indonesia.

QUT Associate Professor, Angela Romano, specialises in politics and the press in Indonesia and spoke to our reporter Crimson Dunstan.

TRANSCRIPT

Crimson Dunstan, Reporter: “We’ve seen an incredibly emotional response in Australia over what some are calling a political stunt, how do you think Indonesia’s actions will affect relations with Australia.”

QUT Associate Professor Angela Romano, Author of Politics & The Press Indonesia: “I don’t think we should see this as a political stunt, this year we’ve seen 14 executions of foreigners for drug related offences, that compares to just seven in the previous 15 years, we can see the new President is trying to take a tough line on drugs and this is his approach.”

Crimson Dunstan, Reporter: “Do you believe Indonesia’s final decision was made with calculated intent, to possibly prove a point?”

QUT Associate Professor Angela Romano, Author of Politics & The Press Indonesia: “It’s not an action against Australia in particular, it’s not a political stunt, it is a national strategy to try and reduce drug trafficking within the country.”

Crimson Dunstan, Reporter: “What implications can we expect after the withdrawal of our Indonesian Ambassador?”

QUT Associate Professor Angela Romano, Author of Politics & The Press Indonesia: “Indonesians see that Brazil and the Netherlands withdrew their Ambassadors after the executions following drug related crimes earlier this year in January, they understand this is often what countries do when they want to take all measures possible. Australian businesses might find it a little more difficult to do business in Indonesia without the support of the Ambassador in their country.”