The Prime Minister of Australia was pressing for Schapelle Corby to be silenced even before she was released on parole

 Schapelle Corby should not sell her story, Tony Abbott suggests  

TONY Abbott has issued a veiled caution to convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby not to profit by selling the story of her nine years in jail. 

AAP 

February 06, 2014 7:47AM

 
Corby could learn as early as tomorrow whether her bid for parole has been successful, opening the way for her release from Bali's Kerobokan prison.

If it's approved, Corby, 36, will serve her parole in the Kuta home of her sister Mercedes and her husband Wayan Widyartha.

There is speculation Corby could be paid millions of dollars for her first tell-all interview.

But the Prime Minister suggested he does not think that should happen.

"The old principle is crime should not pay,'' Mr Abbott told Fairfax Radio.

"But I don't want to say anything on this.

"I wouldn't want to prejudice the outcomes of any discussions that are going on about her tenure.''
He said Corby's case was a high-profile consular case and the ``less public comment by politicians, the better''.

Indonesia's Justice Minister Amir Syamsuddin

Indonesia's Justice Minister Amir Syamsuddin said last night he would make a decision tomorrow on Corby's bid for parole.

"I will finalise all on Friday,'' Mr Syamsuddin said.

"All will be processed equally; no special treatment whatsoever.''

He said there were 1700 applications for parole before him and stressed the Australian's case would be treated the same as the others.

Mr Syamsuddin has already said publicly he can see no reason why Corby's parole bid should be rejected.

Her case was heard in Jakarta last week, but it's not known whether the parole board's recommendation to Mr Syamsuddin was in favour of parole.

The beauty student was 27 when she was caught in 2004 attempting to smuggle more than four kilograms of marijuana into Bali in a bodyboard bag.

She has always maintained her innocence.