Many Australians reacted with shock and anger today after an Indonesian court sentenced a young Australian beauty therapist to 20 years in jail for smuggling marijuana into the resort island of Bali.
Not since Lindy Chamberlain's trial over claims that a dingo killed her baby Azaria in the Australian outback in the 1980s has a trial gripped Australia like Schapelle Corby's.
Schapelle Corby reacts as she is sentenced in a Bali court to 20 years in jail today
Corby was arrested last October after Indonesian customs found 4.1 kg (9 lb) of marijuana in her bodyboard bag when she arrived on Bali.
She says she does not know who put the drugs in her bag, suggesting corrupt Australian airline baggage handlers.
Shopping centre and hotel televisions across Australia broadcast the verdict live, attracting crowds of lunchtime workers who watched in disbelief when Corby was given 20 years.
Many callers to radio talk shows were incensed, and some said they regretted making donations to Indonesian tsunami victims.
Others called for Australians to boycott Bali. Sydney 2GB radio announcer Chris Smith said Corby's 20-year sentence was "hard and insulting", adding he was horrified by reports that the prosecution would appeal for a longer jail term.
"It appeared awfully barbaric from what I could see and hear," said Mr Smith, adding that he had felt "sick in the stomach" watching the live TV broadcast of the sentencing.
Former firebrand politician Pauline Hanson called on Australians to shun Indonesia. "I'd say to Australians don't go near the place, keep away from it, boycott it," she said. "It may be them who are in Schapelle Corby's shoes next time around," said Hanson, who was branded xenophobic when she called for a cut in Asian immigration.
Tourism is the economic backbone of Bali, which is a popular destination for Australians.
Prime Minister John Howard said he understood why Australians felt so deeply about the Corby case. "The fact that we are a nation whose young travel so much, it is an issue that has touched this country very directly," he said.