From: Shidesha
Comment: This is quite frightening. A lot of Australians are becoming so racist against the Indonesians and I plead with you to not go down that path. Just because the Judge has an opinion about ONE Australian, does NOT mean we should hold a grudge against the entire country, its both immature and extremely dangerous. I personally love Indonesian people, and the country itself. However, I dislike their justice system immensely, and I am now very frightened of it. Il do whatever is in my power to help Schapelle, even though she is guilty - she doesnt deserve this sentence. So I urge my fellow Australians to not fall into the trap of racism, and focus on helping Schapelle, not insulting an entire country of individuals who have nothing to do with this case and are just as normal and nice as we can be.

From: Mike
Comment: I'm from the USA, not familiar with the Australian justice system but I'm sure it's similar to ours. This case seems like a mockery of justice and I will never visit Indonesia. It is too bad that the international aid cannot be easily withdrawn, I personally would not want to support such a regime.

From: Tony
Comment: Ken, obviously you haven't been paying much attention to Schapelle's case and the so called Bali nine. One huge difference is they were caught with the drugs strapped to their bodies and not in their boogy board bag.

From: kylie
Comment: By new laws created since sept 11 you are not allowed to place locks on your bags when traveling anywhere in the world so why should she be labeled stupid by so many of you people out there read up on the law and then you can make judgment not even a lawyer and I know the laws. Come on Johnny do something I am sorry this is a waste of a true Aussie.

From: nell
Comment: Is she actually guilty? Only Shapelle knows the answer to that question. The case has been smothered by the media, resulting in the majority of Australia convinced she is innocent. Maybe we shouldn't be so presumptions?

From: pete
Comment: As wrong as it is, this verdict, whether it is right or wrong will cost Indonesia millions if not billions of dollars over the next 10 years. I for one will never travel there. Not because of this case alone but because if your not set up and convicted of drug smuggling by the most corrupt legal system in the world, you might get killed by government assisted terrorists or even natural disasters. Stay home Aussies, put your money into Australia, the best and safest country in the world.

From: Ann
Comment: I am in total shock at the verdict. That poor girl has had her life taken away when there was no evidence to support the claim that the drugs were hers. The applause in the court room has left a very bitter taste in my mouth and will make me think twice before supporting there country!

From: ellie
Comment: I understand that Indonesian government wants to punish someone for bringing drugs into their country, but I believe they are punishing a wrong person. It is their job to find out the truth and obviously they are not doing a good job. Schapelle should not be suffering from their incompetence.

From: Kate
Comment: All this arguing about whether she is innocent or guilty is masking the reality of her conditions. No one should be locked away under those squalid conditions for a bag of grass. Unbelievable hypocrisy.

From: Shaun
Comment: Perhaps some people need to take a chill pill and ask themselves, was it chance her bag was searched or was there another reason she was picked out?

From: Megan
Comment: I watched the live verdict and found myself emotionally becoming a part of it. I feel for Schapelle, and don't think she deserves such a sentence; guilty or not guilty. If she is innocent, I hope that whoever the true culprit is, is feeling enormous guilt for taking a way 20 years of another person's life.

From: Steve
Comment: As unsavoury as this verdict is, we have no choice but to accept it. All this knee jerk shouts to withdraw out tsunami aid achieves nothing. A judge can only adjudicate on evidence presented. Unfortunately, Indonesian law (as I understand it) needs some hard evidence that the drugs were not Corby's. A lot of circumstantial heresay was presented but nothing else. However the battle is not over and I believe, 12 months from now, Schappelle's case will probably alter Indonesian law. The validity of circumstantial evidence will be tested in the Supreme court as Corby's lawyers argue her innocence on the grounds that tampering could have taken place and that the prosecution cannot guarantee 100% the that drugs are in fact hers and put there by her. The Indonesia people have done no wrong.

From: Andrew
Comment: Do I think Schapelle Corby or somebody traveling with her owned the drugs? Yes I do. The penalty however is absolutely ludicrous! And how dare the Indonesians cheer at the verdict when nine Australians recently lost their lives whilst trying to help their people!!

From: Bob
Comment: Guilty as charged, how can all these people claim that she is innocent, do they know her, were they with her when she got caught or are they just reading the papers who are trying to make money?? Wake up, if it was a young male would we jumping up and down like this??

From: Matt
Comment: We have to put this whole case into perspective. The majority of us believe she is innocent yet what are we basing this on? Probably only gut feeling. The defence was based on plenty of hearsay and circumstantial evidence. The notion of dodgy bag handlers at the airport does not seem like a very strong case. The important thing is that we don't label Indonesia and importantly Bali because of it. The Balinese people do not deserve to suffer due to what many believe as the only verdict that could have come from this case.

From: Eric
Comment: I am Canadian and I have been following this case from the beginning. Sadly, the verdict does not surprise me. If I lived in Australia, I would do all that I could to discourage anyone from travelling to any part of Indonesia...period. I will never travel without my luggage being with me at all times. My days of checked baggage are over. Please remember Shapelle and all other prisoners in your prayers.

From: Darryl
Comment: Guilty maybe. BUT 20 years is pathetic for such a crime. That is my only concern.

From: Tony
Comment: I only have one question for our PM, would he accept the verdict if it was his daughter?

From: Chris
Comment: If John Howard had any guts, he'd withdraw our tsunami funding to Indonesia, withdraw any troops assisting in their own in-fighting and anything else where we have granted assistance. If the Bali Bomber gets a slap on the wrist for killing many Aussies, and Corby goes down for pot, why should we help them?

From: Tristan
Comment: I think she is lucky to get only 20 years, I was expecting life. Anyway is she actually guilty? Probably yes, at the least she guilty of stupidity. I'm pretty sure when picking up her boogy board bag, it would be very easy to tell that there was 4.1 kg of marijuana in it and not a boogy board, if you think your bag is tampered with, just walk away. Don't try and sneak it through customs. Secondly I think the one-sided view of the majority of Australians is appalling. So many people think she's innocent because white and pretty. If she were Asian etc. then she would have no where near as much support, from the public or the media.

From: Sue
Comment: I think if a country can not look at all the evidence to make an inform decision then that country is not worth it for tourism or aid. I will certainly not be helping out a country that cannot conduct their legal system in a just and fair way

From: Geoff
Comment: "honest" John Howard asks us to respect the justice system of another country when we cannot trust or respect his own government's judicial , immigration and detention systems. On the other hand - why should'nt he treat the Australian people as mugs - we put him back in.

From: Blake
Comment: If Beazley wants to win the next election he should do everything in his power to get Scapelle back to Australia. Stand with the majority and he can't lose.

From: Georgia
Comment: Jarrod, under a prisoner exchange treaty Schapelle can be brought back to Australia - but this does not mean she is eligible for early parole or any such niceties. She would remain subject to Indonesia's laws even though she is in Australia. No easy wins on this one.

From: Jonny
Comment: I think the defence did well, as she is not being shot dead. That to me in Indonesia is a success. Many before Schapelle have not enjoyed that outcome of similar cases.

From: Ian
Comment: This case brings an interesting incident to mind. My girlfriend's cousin from California was detained by customs at Sydney Airport on New Years' Eve after finding cannabis in her luggage. After being detained for several hours she was let off with a warning and allowed to enter the country. Apparently the incident was not recorded against her passport. Interesting times...