I fail to see the link between NVT and "Howard's Australia".... The man was arrested in Singapore, went through their justice system and was found guilty. Australia had nothing to do with it. Nor should it try to have anything to do with the situation.
Let's reverse the situation and play it out here. A Singaporean is found guilty of smuggling drugs to Australia and sentenced to 8 years. The Singaporeans want us to extradite him to face the rest penalty because they view the penalty as "not harsh enough". What would our correct response be? Of course - NO!
Not because of the rest penalty, or because our laws are too lax, or theirs too harsh, but because Governments (let alone other countries) have no place in iterferring with the judicial system of any country.
Australians would cry out if any country tried to reverse or attempt to influence the outcome of our judicial system and I think Singapaoreans would feel the same.
As to NVT. He attempted to deal in something illegal, was found guilty in another country and suffered the consequences. How this elevates you to the status of matyr, is beyond me. How many rests occur on a weekly basis due to the importation of drugs? Has anyone bothered to take that fight to the Lex Lazery QC et al?
Finally the Catholic Church oozes hypocracy.. Elevating a drug Smuggler to a requiem Mbutt at St Patricks. Could Mr or Mrs Law Abiding Citizen claim such a exit - in short no! Laws abiding gays - hell no! But a drug smuggler dealing in rest, sure we'll fit him in!
