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BRISBANE - Money paid to the Corby family from the sale of convicted drug courier Schapelle Corby's best-selling book has been frozen by a Queensland court.
Queensland's Court of Appeal ruled in favour of an application from the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to prevent the Corbys from disposing of any money paid by publisher Pan MacMillan Australia for the book My Story.
The three-judge panel also moved to stop Schapelle's sister Mercedes from spending the A$15,000 ($17,139) paid to her for an exclusive interview with New Idea magazine.
However, the judges said the move was only an interim measure and the family had the right to appeal the ruling.
The case was heard without the Corby family's knowledge due to fears they would have disposed of the money if they had prior knowledge of the application.
Corby, 29, is serving a 20-year sentence in Bali's Kerobokan Prison for smuggling 4.1kg of cannabis into Indonesia inside a bodyboard bag in October 2004.
The DPP wants the money to be paid to the commonwealth under laws which prevent convicted criminals from profiting from their offences.
A Brisbane District Court judge last month ruled the money could not be frozen because Corby was convicted in Indonesia, not Australia.
However, the Court of Appeal overturned the decision, accepting the DPP's argument that the money could be frozen because it was generated within Australia.
Corby's book was co-written by former TV producer Kathryn Bonella and is based on a series of secret interviews Bonella conducted with Corby inside the jail.
Federal Justice Minister David Johnston said prosecutors took the action under laws designed to prevent people from benefiting from crime.
"The government's taken certain action, it speaks for itself," Senator Johnston said.
"There is legislation, the legislation is there for everybody to read and understand.
"If we see the legislation is in breach, we'll take action."
A spokeswoman for publisher Pan Macmillan declined to comment, citing the possibility of "further legal proceedings".
- AAP
