One of the families of the Bali victims called Mr. [Robert McClelland]'s comments "beyond stupidity" while Labour Leader Kevin Rudd publicly attacked his foreign spokesman, telling McClelland to back off.

After the execution of Saddam Hussein, [John Howard] praised the fledgling democracy declaring: "I'm not going to give advice to Iraq as to what is the appropriate penalty."

Law Council of Australia president Ross Ray was disappointed at the week's developments, believing both Labour and the ruling coalition have left Australia's moral credentials badly compromised.