September 05, 2005

THE Howard Government has agreed to pay Schapelle Corby's original lawyers $US96,000 ($126,000) for their failed defence of the Queensland beauty school student.

Ending months of speculation, Corby's first lawyer, Bali-based Lily Lubis, told The Australian she had already received a cheque for $US46,160 and was waiting for the rest of the fee.

"Apparently for the balance we have to again apply to them," she said.

"Even though they have already approved it, they are asking us to submit some details."

Ms Lubis's payment was drawn from the Special Circumstances (Overseas) Scheme, administered by the Attorney-General's department.

It is understood all nine Australians arrested in Bali in April in connection with a heroin-smuggling ring have also applied for the assistance, and one claim has been approved in principle.

Convicted in May of trying to bring 4.1kg of marijuana into Bali and sentenced to 20 years in prison, Corby almost immediately sacked Ms Lubis and her colleague, Sri Lankan adviser Vasu Rasiah.

Mr. Rasiah has now complained that the Australian Government would not agree to pay for his role as case coordinator, saying the approved $126,000 fee was extremely low.

Although it is clear Canberra paid the bulk of Corby's legal fees, Mr. Vasiah said mobile phone entrepreneur Ron Bakir, once considered her champion, had covered some expenses.

A spokesman for Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said he could not confirm any details, but that the agreed legal fee for the Corby defence was "probably in the ballpark".

He said that under the system, foreign lawyers submitted a budget. After approval, they claimed against it with invoices and receipts.