While we respect that other countries impose this harshest of penalties, we do not accept that it is appropriate for our own citizens.

When Australians find themselves facing the death penalty overseas, it is right and proper that our government should make representation to the relevant authorities in a bid to spare them such a fate.

In past years, this strategy has had mixed results.

What would be a concern is when Australian authorities play a role in delivering citizens into the hands of the executioners.

When it became apparent that the "Bali Nine" _ nine Australians arrested in Indonesia for drug trafficking _ may have been dobbed in by Australian Federal Police, the revelation sat uncomfortably with many Australians.

Six of those arrested remain on death row in Indonesia.

These men and women were found guilty of serious crimes. That is not to be excused.

It would be hard to believe they didn't understand the consequences of taking drugs into Asian countries. There have been numerous high-profile cases over the years which should have made them well aware.

They deserve some form of punishment, and the nations whose laws they break deserve justice.

While some would argue that they should be prepared to suffer whatever fate awaits them, others would say that being set-up by Australian police to be arrested internationally rather than on home soil was unfair. To coin an

Aussie phrase, it's just not cricket.

And a parliamentary committee reporting its findings this week agrees.

The committee has recommended that it be illegal for Australian authorities to provide information to colleagues overseas if it exposes our citizens to the death penalty.

The chairman of the joint standing committee on treaties, Kelvin Thompson, sited the issue as a human rights one and wants current policy reviewed.

As with all these matters, the devil will be in the detail, but on the face of it, protecting our citizens from death overseas is worthy pursuit _ even if those citizens are drug traffickers.