Indon court ruling disappointing: Bishop

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says she's disappointed at the latest setback to Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran's legal case as they await execution.

Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says she's disappointed at the latest Bali Nine setback. (AAP)

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop is disappointed the latest appeal for Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran has failed but says lawyers are still exploring options on behalf of the condemned men.

A Jakarta court determined on Tuesday it couldn't examine Indonesian president Joko Widodo's decision to refuse clemency for Chan and Sukumaran as they await execution in Bali.

Lawyers for the two Australians will appeal the court's decision not to hear their last-ditch challenge, arguing it would be unthinkable if they were executed in the meantime.

Authorities say preparations are being made to move the convicted drug smugglers to the prison island where they are set to face the firing squad, with the move "very likely" this week.

Ms Bishop said the latest setback was disappointing.

"We are very disappointed that the appeal was lost at this point," Ms Bishop told Network Nine on Wednesday.

"But I understand that the lawyers are considering a further legal avenue and they have about 14 days in which to do so."

Ms Bishop said the government would continue to appeal to President Joko's sense of generosity and forgiveness.

She said she hoped he would consider the clemency pleas and agree to a stay of execution.

"We can only hope that they will see the value of these men's lives, both men have been rehabilitated in the most remarkable way," Ms Bishop said.

Barrister for Chan and Sukumaran, Julian McMahon, has also called the court's decision disappointing, but said he still wants the merits of the mens' case for clemency heard in a court.

President Joko said on Tuesday that no intervention would stop the executions of Chan, Sukumaran or other foreigners on death row.

Ms Bishop recalled her last meeting with Sukumaran's mother.

"She hugged me so tightly that I could hardly breathe and just begged me to do all I could to save the life of her son, whose own life had been rehabilitated in such an extraordinary way," she said.


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Source: AAP


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