PM still lobbying for Bali Nine

Prime Minister Tony Abbott hopes the genuine remorse shown by the Bali Nine ringleaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran will halt their possible executions.

There is no word yet on Chan's fate as Indonesia risks diplomatic tensions with its plans to execute more drug offenders this year, and President Joko Widodo has so far refused to spare Sukumaran from the firing squad.

Mr Abbott said he believed the pair, who oversaw the drug trafficking ring, had reformed.

"I hope that the evidence of genuine remorse, of genuine rehabilitation, means that even at this late stage ... this might be accepted, because in the end mercy has to be a part of every justice system," he told Sydney radio station WSFM on Tuesday.

"I think that these two are well and truly reformed characters.

"I hope that the Indonesians will accept that, acknowledge it and act appropriately."

The prime minister said his job was to try and stop the executions going ahead.

He declined to say whether or not Australian could withdraw its ambassador to Indonesia if the executions proceeded.