The Indonesian Attorney-General has today flagged a “short delay” in the executions of the Bali Nine pair.

The delay is good news — but the stress that these young men and their families must be feeling as the slow wheels of Indonesian bureaucracy grind on is verging on cruel and unusual punishment.

As Australians express outrage at their impending death, it’s worth considering that the police who do eventually shoot and kill Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan likely received Australian training.

Australia trains Indonesian police at the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Co-operation, which was set up in the wake of the Bali bombing to strengthen Indonesia’s counter-terror effort.

The centre was paid for by Australia and continues to receive millions directly from the Australian Federal Police’s own budget.

Australia’s training and funding of the Indonesian military and police has long been controversial — both organisations are known for their corruption and brutality, especially against independence activists in East Timor, West Papua and the Maluku islands.

If the executions go ahead, this direct link between Australian assistance and the system that executed two of our citizens should be closely examined.