Ruddock welcomes Indon execution reprieve

A veteran Liberal MP welcomes news that Indonesia has placed a moratorium on all executions, but says Australia won't stop pursuing an end to the punishment worldwide.

Philip Ruddock, co-chair of the Australian Parliamentarians against the death penalty group, said a reprieve in Indonesia is a move in the "right direction".

"I think if the United States were to change it would be quite powerful in relation to influencing other countries," he told ABC radio on Friday.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton, who was in Jakarta on Thursday, said the federal government's position on the death penalty was well known.

"The Australian government welcomes the announcement from the Indonesian government," he told reporters in Brisbane on Friday.