Senior Australian politicians have again urged Indonesia to grant clemency to the Bali Nine ringleaders on death row.

But cabinet minister Christopher Pyne and opposition frontbencher Anthony Albanese would not ramp up criticism of Indonesia or its president Joko Widodo, or say what the consequences would be if Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.

"You will not be able save these two men's lives by insulting President Widodo or the Indonesians," Mr Pyne told the Nine Network on Friday.

He said there would be consequences for the relationship with Indonesia, but "right now" the Australian government's aim was to save the men from execution.

Mr Albanese said Indonesia's standing in the international community would be affected by its decision on the executions.

"This is an opportunity for Indonesia to do the right thing. If it does that, it will receive praise internationally; if it doesn't, the international community will draw its own conclusion," Mr Albanese said.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop had called the Indonesian ambassador for an explanation for the photo of the smiling Denpasar police chief with Andrew Chan and the high-security transfer of the pair.

Mr Albanese said it was appropriate for Ms Bishop to formally complain.

Tony Abbott's front-footing on the execution of the Bali Nine duo is helping to keep his grips on the Australian leadership.

Opinion polls on the Australian Prime Minister are favouring him for the first time in quite some time.

Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Tony Abbott's attempt to save the Bali Nine ringleaders from death are helping his cause.

"His critics will never be able to say that he let two Australians go to the firing squad in Indonesia. There are a few things at play but Tony Abbott does seem to have some clear air, at least until the May budget."