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Bali victim's dad slams Govt over Bashir efforts

The father of a Bali bombing victim has criticised the Federal Government, saying it did not do all it could to stop a reduction in the sentence being served by radical Muslim cleric, Abu Bakar Bashir.

Bashir's 30-month sentence in connection with the bombings has been reduced by four-and-a-half months as part of an annual review of prison terms.

Prime Minister John Howard says Australia's ambassador has already raised the issue with two Indonesian government ministers but little can be done because the process of review is automatic.

But Brian Deegan from Adelaide, whose son Josh died in the Bali attack, told the ABC's Radio National that is unacceptable.

"Our Government should have done everything," he said.

"It should have spoken up very, very loudly, very, very publicly to the Indonesian Government and made it very, very plain that this is not the act of a good neighbour."

The Federal Opposition has called for Mr Howard to clarify what representations were made to Indonesia regarding the decision to reduce Bashir's sentence.

Labor's foreign affairs spokesman, Kevin Rudd, says there are conflicting reports about whether Australia's position was made known to Indonesia at all, and Mr Howard should have raised the matter directly with the President.

"For the Australian people, this is unacceptable," he said.

"What we have is a statement from the Foreign Minister that representations were made to the Indonesian Foreign Minister and the Attorney-General in Indonesia.

"The Indonesian Attorney-General seems to say he's not so sure whether he's had those conversations with the Australian ambassador."