Abbott requests Indonesia reconsider fate of Bali Nine

The Prime Minister has spoken with the families of the Bali Nine ringleaders, assuring them everything possible is being done to try to save their lives.

A day after Andrew Chan's clemency was rejected, Tony Abbott said he'd asked Indonesia to reconsider their executions.

Chan’s Australian lawyer was there when he and fellow inmate Myuran Sukumaran heard the news.

"It’s very sobering, both of them were very sober for a while but they just got on and did things in the most gracious and dignified way,” Julian McMahon said.

“It was amazing to watch."

Both are considered changed men.

Chan is studying to be a pastor and conducts cooking and counselling classes, while Sukumran runs Kerobokan's successful art school.

But the latest blow is likely to be the fatal one.

Indonesia wants the men to face the firing squad together and now both have had their clemency pleas rejected, time is quickly running out.

Mr Abbott today spoke with their families vowing to make every possible effort to stop the executions.

"We are redoubling our efforts through what we hope might be effective channels,” he said.

“This is not going to be easy, I've gotta say."

The pair’s lawyers are also trying to launch a complicated 11th hour bid to save the drug smugglers.

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