Updated 9.57am: The death penalty could be slowly phased out of the Indonesian justice system according to one expert.

Newly elected president Joko Widodo has taken a particularly hard line on the issue, especially in relation to two members of the Bali Nine who are set to be executed in the coming days.

But Indonesia Institute in Australia president Ross Taylor says the mood of the general public is beginning to soften.

"There really has been no doubt in my mind that within ten years capital punishment will be removed from the statute in Indonesia."

Ross Taylor believes Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot's comments linking Tsunami relief money to the execution of two members of the Bali nine only inflamed the situation.

Abbott last month said he hope Indonesia would reciprocate Australia's aid efforts and spare Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.

But Ross Taylor says the comments made the issue one of national pride.

"It put this issue as a matter of Indonesian sovereignty and nationalism on the front page."

Meanwhile there has been a rare show of political unity at Parliament House in Canberra this morning as the Aussies hold a candlelight vigil for the Bali Nine ringleaders on death row.

Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran are now waiting to front the firing squad ... after spending their first night on "execution island".

The government had proposed a prison swap deal - to repatriate three convicted Indonesian drug criminals in return for the lives of the two men.

Tony Abbott says he's seeking one final call with the Indonesian president.

"We respect Indonesia, we honour the friendship we have with Indonesia, but we stand up for our values and we stand up for our citizens."