Campbell Newman could stop Schapelle Corby being paid for interview

INDONESIAN authorities have paid Schapelle Corby an unscheduled visit. 

 

Corby’s parole team visited her at the Sentosa Seminyak resort where she is staying, where they spoke to her, sister Mercedes and brother-in-law Wayan Widyartha.

The parole team later said Corby herself had seemed tired during their meeting and they talked mainly to Mercedes and to Widyartha.

The visit comes as critics voice their disapproval of Corby’s accommodation and reported $2 million interview deal with the Seven Network.

The governor of Kerobokan Prison, Farid Junaedi, told the Denpost newspaper that Corby would be “stupid” to do such an interview.

“On parole, she is still considered as a prisoner, though she’s free and outside,” he was quoted as saying.

“I’ve made it clear to the family that if she’s willing to be interviewed, that would be stupid of her.”

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has also warned that his government would seek to prevent Corby from profiting from her situation.

Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie

Newman said he would be asking his Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie if payments to Corby could be stopped under Queensland’s proceeds of crime laws.

“I am deeply concerned, in fact I am dismayed, that a convicted drug criminal has benefited it appears from her criminal activity,’’ Mr Newman told reporters in Brisbane today.

Mr Newman said he respected Indonesia’s justice system and its decision to convict Corby.

“I just think we need to recognise there was a trial in Indonesia, she was appropriately convicted, she went to jail and now it appears she’s benefiting from this act and I don’t think it’s very satisfactory.

“So we will look and see whether that Queensland legislation has any application.’’

His comments come after Channel Seven personalities and senior government figures voiced their opposition to the television network’s decision to pay Corby $2 million to tell her story.

Treasurer Joe Hockey and Seven star David Koch are among those who have expressed their distaste over Corby’s possible windfall.

The growing anger comes as details of the convicted drug smuggler’s parole conditions have emerged.

Corby’s parole conditions were laid down and originally signed in August last year.

In that letter, obtained by News Corp Australia, Corby made a series of pledges including to not commit any criminal acts, to not use or distribute any kind of narcotics and to report to the parole authority every month.

Corby also agreed to receive guidance from the parole team and to dress modestly and neatly for the officers.