Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed the men arrived in Australia after a deal was reached with new Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
Matthew Norman, Martin Stephens, Scott Rush, Michael Czugaj and Si Yi Chen travelled on commercial flights that landed in Australia today and have been taken to a rehab facility.
In a statement tonight, the five said they were “relieved and happy to be back in Australia”.
“They look forward, in time, to reintegrating back into and contributing to society,” a statement released on their behalf said.
“The welfare of the men is a priority, they will need time and support, and we hope and trust our media and community will make allowance for this.”
Albanese said earlier that he was “pleased to confirm” the group’s return and praised Prabowo for his “act of compassion”.
“These Australians served more than 19 years in prison in Indonesia. It was time for them to come home,” Albanese said.
The five men and their families also praised Prabowo, as well as Australian foreign ministers and governments who had advocated for them, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
“The men and their families will always be grateful,” the statement said.
“The men and their families thank all those who have assisted them to reach this point. In particular, they thank their Indonesian lawyers, friends in Indonesia, academics and others in Australia, and numerous friends in Australia. This support has been essential and invaluable.”
Two convicted ringleaders of the Bali Nine, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, were executed by a firing squad in 2015, causing a diplomatic furore.
Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen died from cancer in prison.
The nine were arrested in an attempt to smuggle 8.3 kilograms of heroin from Indonesia’s resort island of Bali to Australia in 2005.
The five had been serving life sentences without the possibility of parole.
Renae Lawrence, the only woman in the group, was released and returned to Australia in 2018.
In a joint statement, Albanese, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke added that the men had “committed serious offences, serving over 19 years in prison in Indonesia”.
“We would like to convey our deep appreciation to the government of Indonesia for its cooperation to facilitate the men’s return to Australia on humanitarian grounds,” the trio said.
“This reflects the strong bilateral relationship and mutual respect between Indonesia and Australia.
“The Australian government has consistently advocated for the men and provided consular support to them and their families.
“The men will have the opportunity to continue their personal rehabilitation and reintegration in Australia.”