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CANBERRA - A prisoner exchange agreement between Australia and Indonesia could be finalised early next year, Justice Minister Chris Ellison says.
The countries have been in negotiations on the exchange for some time, but differences between the two have seen the deal stalled several times.
Attorney-General Phillip Ruddock said he expected the agreement to be signed in June, and then he extended it to September and again it wasn't signed.
Senator Ellison says he spoke with his Indonesian counterpart last month and expects the deal will be signed very soon.
"We're looking to settle this agreement early in the New Year," the senator told the Nine Network today.
"We're very keen to proceed with it and the Indonesians are as well."
He said once the agreement is finalised the transfers will take place soon after, and prisoners like Chapelle Corby and the Bali Nine could be included.
"Certainly they could be eligible, any Australian in an Indonesian prison could be eligible, providing the length of time they're serving and there will be other terms which will have to be met," Senator Ellison said.
- AAP
