Renae Lawrence tastes freedom for the first time in 13 years as she arrives at Brisbane Airport

An overwhelmed Renae Lawrence has tasted freedom for the first time in 13 years as she arrived back in Australia.

The convicted drug smuggler, 41, touched down at Brisbane Airport about 5am local time on Thursday following her release from an Indonesian prison.   

The Bali Nine member was released from Bangli Prison, Bali, on Wednesday evening after her sentence was reduced for ‘good behaviour’. 

Lawrence, the only member of the notorious gang to be released, did not answer questions from journalists after exiting the airport’s international terminal.

 

Convicted drug smuggler Renae Lawrence (pictured) arrived back in Australia on Thursday after spending 13 years in an Indonesian prison 

Lawrence did not answer questions from journalists after she exited Brisbane Airport's international terminal

Lawrence did not answer questions from journalists after she exited Brisbane Airport’s international terminal

Lawrence later boarded a bus to the domestic terminal, to catch a transfer flight to her hometown Newcastle, New South Wales

Lawrence later boarded a bus to the domestic terminal, to catch a transfer flight to her hometown Newcastle, New South Wales

The convicted drug smuggler appeared overwhelmed as she navigated past the media covering her return to Australia 

The convicted drug smuggler appeared overwhelmed as she navigated past the media covering her return to Australia 

Lawrence touched down at Brisbane Airport about 5am local time on Thursday on a Virgin Australia flight from Bali 

Lawrence touched down at Brisbane Airport about 5am local time on Thursday on a Virgin Australia flight from Bali 

She boarded a bus to the domestic terminal, to catch a transfer flight to her hometown Newcastle, New South Wales.

While waiting to board her flight back to Australia, Lawrence had smoked a cigarette and told reporters there ‘I’m positive’ when asked about her new-found freedom. 

The Bangli Prison’s doctor also told reporters Lawrence had told him she was ‘sad and afraid’ when she left the jail ‘but she is happy for sure’. 

Lawrenece was arrested at Bali’s main airport in April 2005 with 2.7 kilograms of heroin strapped to her body as part of a failed bid to smuggle a total of eight kilograms of the drug into Australia with a number of other mules – later dubbed the Bali Nine. 

Renae Lawrence has spent her first moments of her uncertain future with her mother and step-brother after spending over 13 years locked up in prison 

Renae Lawrence has spent her first moments of her uncertain future with her mother and step-brother after spending over 13 years locked up in prison 

The convicted drug smuggler, 41, was released from Bangli Prison, Bali, on Wednesday evening after her sentence was reduced for 'good behaviour' 

The convicted drug smuggler, 41, was released from Bangli Prison, Bali, on Wednesday evening after her sentence was reduced for ‘good behaviour’ 

The taste of freedom could be short lived as NSW Police have two arrest warrants for Lawrence which have been outstanding since 2005.  

One warrant alleges she was involved in a high-speed chase in a stolen car with fellow Bali Nine member Matthew Norman.

Lawrence was photographed waiting with her mother Beverley Waterman, step-brother Allan Waterman and unknown relative in a quiet room at Bali’s international airport prior to her flight back to Australia.

The former prisoner apologised to Fairfax Media when they asked her to speak on her time in jail – claiming she was not ready to share the story.

‘I’m sure, I’m positive,’ she said when asked if she was sure she did not want to be interviewed. 

Her mother added to this that speaking to the media ‘always gets misconstrued’.

Lawrence was photographed waiting with her mother Beverley Waterman (right), step-brother Allan Waterman (left) and unknown relative in a quiet room at the international airport

Lawrence was photographed waiting with her mother Beverley Waterman (right), step-brother Allan Waterman (left) and unknown relative in a quiet room at the international airport

Mrs Waterman (right) told Fairfax Media that speaking to the media 'always gets misconstrued'

Mrs Waterman (right) told Fairfax Media that speaking to the media ‘always gets misconstrued’

Lawrence, the only member of the notorious gang to be released, hopped on a flight to Brisbane from Bali's Ngurah Rai international airport at about 9pm local time (midnight AEST)

Lawrence, the only member of the notorious gang to be released, hopped on a flight to Brisbane from Bali’s Ngurah Rai international airport at about 9pm local time (midnight AEST)

The third family member, understood to be a cousin, asked that reporters respect the limited amount of time the group have together before flying into an inevitable media storm.   

Ngurah Rai Immigration chief Amran Aris said Lawrence had to be deported the moment she had served her time, due to her drug offences. 

She was issued a travel document for her travel back to Australia, not a passport.  

‘Because of her case, the narcotics, she has been given a life ban,’ he told Fairfax Media.

Lawrence was released at about 5pm on Wednesday evening after officials held a press conference at the prison doors.

Maryoto Sumadi, Justice Ministry chief, spoke in Indonesian before holding up her release papers and saying: ‘She is a free woman’.

Mr Sumadi said Lawrence would be deported and banned from re-entering Indonesia for life. 

Upon her return, Lawrence is facing two arrest warrants from NSW Police, which have been outstanding since 2005

Upon her return, Lawrence is facing two arrest warrants from NSW Police, which have been outstanding since 2005

Lawrence, 41, spent 13 years and seven months behind bars for her involvement in a trafficking syndicate

Lawrence, 41, spent 13 years and seven months behind bars for her involvement in a trafficking syndicate

Maryoto Sumadi, head of Bali's justice and human rights office, spoke in Indonesian before holding up her release papers and saying: 'She is a free woman'

Maryoto Sumadi, head of Bali’s justice and human rights office, spoke in Indonesian before holding up her release papers and saying: ‘She is a free woman’

‘We have also conducted a hand over between Bangli and the immigration office in Denpasar,’ he said.

‘Because she is a foreigner, therefore, the person is deemed to be in Indonesia without permission, therefore she needs to be released from prison and into immigration office custody.’

Justice Department officials conducted a health check and said Lawrence was found to be in good health.

At the conclusion of the conference, guards and media flooded the prison door in anticipation for the release of Lawrence. 

Lawrence eventually walked from the doors, covered by a heavily armed mobile brigade police.

She wore sunglasses and hung her head as she was swept into a black SUV with dark-tinted windows.

The convicted drug smuggler remained silent and ignored questions journalists shouted at her.

Just before 5pm local time officials addressed the media about Lawrence but she was no where to be seen

Just before 5pm local time officials addressed the media about Lawrence but she was no where to be seen

 Lawrence appeared after the the conference concluded, flooded by guards and wearing sunglasses

 Lawrence appeared after the the conference concluded, flooded by guards and wearing sunglasses

The convicted drug smuggler remained silent and ignored questions journalists shouted at her 

The convicted drug smuggler remained silent and ignored questions journalists shouted at her 

There was speculation Lawrence would speak at the media conference, ahead of her release.

Bangli jail governor Made Suwendra said Lawrence thanked the staff at the prison as she prepared to leave, the Daily Telegraph reported. 

‘She said thank you as she has already been treated well during her time in prison. And also said sorry for any mistake she’s done,’ Mr Suwendra said.

Lawrence had an emotional and teary goodbye as she farewelled her inmates.

‘All the women prisoners took her out from the women’s block and they were hugging and crying,’ Mr Suwendra said.

‘Some of her friends were also crying.’

She hugged her girlfriend Erna and other female prisoners before heading out to freedom. 

Police patrolled Bangli Prison ahead of Lawrence's release on Wednesday afternoon (pictured)

Police patrolled Bangli Prison ahead of Lawrence’s release on Wednesday afternoon (pictured)

She wore sunglasses and hung her head as she was swept into a black SUV with dark-tinted windows

She wore sunglasses and hung her head as she was swept into a black SUV with dark-tinted windows

There was originally speculation Lawrence would speak at a media conference

There was originally speculation Lawrence would speak at a media conference

In a tense video, Lawrence met Bali’s justice ministry chief, Mr Sumadi, moments before her release.

The 41-year-old appeared shaken and nervous while she conversed with the chief before the pair shook hands.

On Wednesday, Australian Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said he has ‘no sympathy’ for Lawerence, and suggested she face the full extent of the law.

‘If you commit that kind of offence, there is a heavy penalty to pay, and it doesn’t give you credit when you get back to Australia,’ he told Sky News.

But NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller suggested a deal with Lawrence’s lawyers was more likely than a fresh set of handcuffs on the tarmac.

Lawrence was originally sentenced to life in prison but her sentence was reduced to 20 years on appeal.

Lawrence was reportedly prescribed anti-depressants by a local doctor to deal with anxiety before the long-awaited release (pictured in car on the way to the airport)

Lawrence was reportedly prescribed anti-depressants by a local doctor to deal with anxiety before the long-awaited release (pictured in car on the way to the airport)

On Wednesday, Australian Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said he has 'no sympathy' for Lawrence (centre), and suggested she face the full extent of the law

On Wednesday, Australian Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said he has ‘no sympathy’ for Lawrence (centre), and suggested she face the full extent of the law

She served 13 years and seven months after numerous reductions for good behaviour.

Lawrence was reportedly prescribed anti-depressants by a local doctor to deal with anxiety before the long-awaited release.  

Mr Suwendra praised Lawrence for contributing to prison life in Bangli and being a co-operative inmate.

He hoped Lawrence would be helped to integrate back into life in Australia.

‘Renae Lawrence is in a healthy condition. She seems to be happy, but also a bit nervous,’ Mr Suwendra told AFP.

Renae Lawrence (pictured a week after her arrest in 2005) flew home from Bali on Wednesday night but she has outstanding criminal offences awaiting  in Australia

Renae Lawrence (pictured a week after her arrest in 2005) flew home from Bali on Wednesday night but she has outstanding criminal offences awaiting in Australia

Renae Lawrence (pictured) days after her arrest in Bali on April 17, 2005 - she was released from jail  on Wednesday

Renae Lawrence (pictured) days after her arrest in Bali on April 17, 2005 – she was released from jail on Wednesday

Daily Mail Australia understands Lawrence will be given a few days to ‘settle in’ at her Newcastle home before she responds to the outstanding police charges from over a decade ago.

A court date will likely be set for December in Gosford, on the NSW central coast.

Lawrence is the only Bali Nine member to be released.

Ringleaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were executed in 2015 and Tan Duc Thahn Nguyen died of stomach cancer in May earlier this year. 

Martin Stephens, 42, Michael Czugaj, 32, Scott Rush, 33, and Si Yi Chen, 33, remain in prison where they are serving life sentences,  with little chance of release.

Where are the other members of Bali Nine? 

Andrew Chan, 31, and Myuran Sukumaran, 34, – were executed by firing squad on the Indonesian prison island of Nusa Kambangan on April 29, 2015.

Tan Duc Thanh was initially given life but was then sentenced to death following an appeal. He died of cancer while in jail earlier this year. 

Five others are serving life in jail:

Scott Rush, 32 

Rush’s parents were the ones to tip off the Australian Federal Police stating they hoped it would stop their son from becoming a drug mule. 

Following his arrest he was sentenced to life in prison and upon appeal was slapped with the death penalty. A further appeal reverted the decision to life in jail.

Martin Stephens, 42 

Stephens was also sentenced to life after being caught attempting to smuggle drugs into Bali. 

He attempted to have his sentence lessened to 10 years in 2011 but it was rejected.

He also met his wife Christine Winarni Puspayanti in 2011 who was visiting the prison as part of a church group.

The pair married in a traditional Indonesian ceremony.

Si Yi Chen, 33

Chen was sentenced to life in prison but was given the death sentence following an appeal. 

He appealed again after a full confession which then reinstated his life sentence. 

Chen is currently running a silversmith workshop while in jail. 

Michael Czugaj, 32

Czugaj is one of the youngest members of the group and is serving life in Madiun, East Java. 

The former surfing-made apprentice tradesman hopes to be transferred back to a Bali jail. 

Matthew Norman, 31

The youngest member of the Bali Nine, Norman was sentenced to life but was then sentenced to death. 

Following an appeal and full confession, his sentence was reinstated back to life.     

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk