AUSTRALIA: MPs 'NOT DIVIDED ON DEATH PENALTY'

federal MPs on both sides of politics oppose the death penalty, says Australian Labor backbencher Craig Thomson, amid reports of concerns that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has failed to articulate a consistent position on the issue. Divisions are emerging in the Rudd Government over Labor's stance on the death penalty as execution day for the Bali bombers approaches, it was reported. Concerns are growing that Mr Rudd's failure to articulate a consistent position on Australia's opposition to the death penalty – regardless of nationality or crime – could jeopardise the chances of achieving clemency for the Australians on death row in Indonesia, Fairfax reported. But Labor backbencher Craig Thomson said that was wrong. "In relation to the death penalty there's a bipartisan position from both sides of Parliament that we oppose the death penalty," he said. "But can I say that terrorists, mass murderers who are out there, we're not going to be lifting a finger to go and advocate for their position. "Australians who find themselves in difficulty overseas, then clearly, the Government is going to intervene." Liberal frontbencher Christopher Pyne said "In terms of punishment or capital punishment, I oppose capital punishment personally, but what Indonesia does in their justice system is a matter for Indonesia."