Michael Bachelard

Michael Bachelard is Fairfax Media's Indonesia correspondent. A former political reporter and workplace relations writer, he was awarded a Jefferson Fellowship in journalism in 2005. He is the author of Behind The Exclusive Brethren.

Nine dead after asylum boat sinks

Natalie O'Brien, Michael Bachelard Nine aslyum seekers have died after their boat capsized north-west of Christmas Island, prompted renewed criticism of Australia's response to boats in distress.

13 dead after asylum boat sinks

Natalie O'Brien, Michael Bachelard and Nick Toscano The number of asylum seekers drowned after a boat sunk off Christmas Island reaches 13.

Hope for Bali nine sentence leniency

Michael Bachelard Four of the Bali nine drug smugglers are poised to have their life sentences reduced to 20 years, though the decision still has to find approval from a gun-shy central government in Jakarta.

Bar staff blamed for lethal cocktails

Michael Bachelard Bartenders prime suspects in death of Perth man who drank methanol-laced vodka in Indonesia.

Hopes fade for 52 asylum seekers

Michael Bachelard Rough seas with waves of three- to four-metres prevented a search being launched off Indonesia yesterday as hopes faded for the rescue of 52 asylum seekers still missing after their boat sank earlier...

Plea for a prayer when 'small, overcrowded' boat sinks

Michael Bachelard, Bianca Hall An asylum seeker vessel that sank off Indonesia's coast early on Friday morning has plunged the country's search and rescue agency into disarray as 58 people remain missing.

Bali Process pledge against 'vile trade'

Michael Bachelard People smuggling and human trafficking will be 'more thoroughly criminalised' across the Asia Pacific region as Australia struggles to deal with the latest influx of asylum seekers.

Take more 'official refugees', Indonesia says

Michael Bachelard Indonesia will ask Australia to accept more refugees through official channels to lighten its burden as tens of thousands of asylum seekers make their way to Australia.

New law may keep Corby and others in jail for longer

Michael Bachelard Schapelle Corby and the two Bali Nine prisoners on death row dominate the headlines in Australia but seven other young Australians in Kerobokan prison face an uncertain future under a harsh new...

Confession could help Corby gain freedom

Michael Bachelard Schapelle Corby may need to admit for the first time that she is a drug smuggler, and show remorse for her crime, before she can be granted parole under new laws passed in Indonesia.

Corby may have to come clean to get parole

Michael Bachelard Convicted drug mule may need to admit her crimes and show remorse before she can be granted parole.

Corby parole no guarantee, despite promise

Michael Bachelard Foreign Minister's about-face guarantee will still not ensure Schapelle Corby's parole.

Corby's parole no guarantee, despite Carr's promise

Michael Bachelard Foreign Affairs Minister Bob Carr's election-year about-face guaranteeing that Schapelle Corby would be on her best behaviour will still not ensure she will be released on parole, Bali's prison...

Wrongly jailed boys in lawsuit

Michael Bachelard TWO under-age Indonesian boys allegedly sexually harassed by male criminals in Sydney's Silverwater jail are among the 23 former ''people smugglers'' planning to sue the Australian government.

Australian man dies in Bali hotel

Michael Bachelard An Australian man has been found dead in his luxury hotel room in Bali but police have drawn the preliminary conclusion that there are no suspicious circumstances.

Policy deters asylum seekers from boat trip

Michael Bachelard Among some of the people smugglers' potential customers, toughened policies a deterrent.

UN queue for front door still preferable to boat crossing

Michael Bachelard THE boats are being readied along Java's west coast to ferry thousands of fresh asylum seekers to Christmas Island.

Beef importer with Australian links caught in quota bribe case

Michael Bachelard AN INDONESIAN company with deep links to the Australian beef industry has been caught red-handed offering bribes to an Indonesian politician, apparently to circumvent the country's strict quota on...

Beef importer caught 'bribing' Indonesian MP

Michael Bachelard An Indonesian company with deep links to the Australian beef industry has been caught red-handed offering bribes to an Indonesian politician, apparently to circumvent the country's quota on beef...