Bishop says death penalty will not solve Indonesia's drug problem

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says the Federal Government has not given up hope for convicted Bali Nine smugglers Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan.

Speaking to the TODAY show this morning, Ms Bishop said the death penalty is "abhorrent" and the government will plead for their lives until the very end.

"The Prime Minister has written again to the Indonesian president, I am in contact with my counterpart, the Foreign Minister," she said.

"The Australian Government opposes the death penalty in all instances, this has been a longstanding position of governments over the years and we oppose a situation where any Australian nationals face the death penalty or are executed by another state.

"We'll continue to make representations at the very highest level."

READ MORE: Bali Nine's Myuran Sukumaran believes he will be executed by the end of the month

It comes as Sukumaran told friends he is wracked with fear and is certain he will be executed by the end of the month.

Ms Bishop said Indonesian officials had rebuffed previous requests for clemency by the Australian government on the basis it is Indonesian law and the death penalty is linked to a number of drug-related offences.

"My personal view is that an execution of drug traffickers will not stop the problem of drugs in and out of Indonesia, there's a much broader approach that needs to be taken," she said.

TODAY show host Alicia Loxley pressed Ms Bishop on whether she thought Indonesia would face a backlash from the Australian public if the men are executed.

"I think people will be shocked ... they are seeking to send a very strong message," she said.

"It is a very severe warning to anyone travelling in or out of Indonesia that the death penalty can apply to drug trafficking."

The outlook for the two men is bleak after Indonesia executed six people for drug charges over the weekend.