Six former Australian prime ministers have united to voice support for Bali Nine ringleaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran as the pair await execution in Indonesia.
In statements to the Australian newspaper, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, John Howard, Paul Keating, Bob Hawke and Malcolm Fraser back the Abbott government's diplomatic push to spare the convicted drug smugglers, who are on death row in Bali.
In her statement, Ms Gillard said she would find it heartbreaking if the men's "extraordinary efforts to become of good character were not met with an act of mercy, of recognition of change".
Mr Howard said the pair had demonstrated genuine rehabilitation, while Mr Rudd urged an act of clemency from Indonesia.
Mr Hawke, meanwhile, said Chan and Sukumaran had served their incarceration with model behaviour.
"I therefore urge and plead that the government reconsider its decision to now take their lives," he added.
Mr Fraser said an execution would be a tragedy, but recalling Australia's ambassador to Indonesia would be foolish.
Mr Keating described the men's pending execution as "a monstrous act" which would provide no atonement for a crime.
Meanwhile Labor foreign affairs spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek said she hoped the display of solidarity had an impact.
"Where there's life there is hope," she told ABC Radio on Tuesday.
Chan, 31, and Sukumaran, 33, are spending their last days in Kerobokan jail, where they have spent the past 10 years after their attempt to smuggle heroin out of Indonesia.
Bali authorities are preparing to move the heroin smugglers to the island where they are expected to face the firing squad this week.
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