The less said about drug smugglers Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran right now the better, Prime Minister Tony Abbott says.

Mr Abbott said there was always hope that Indonesian president Joko Widodo would grant a reprieve from the death sentence.

But he said he shouldn’t speculate on how strong that hope was.

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“I am inclined to think that after everything that has been said in recent weeks, probably now the less said the better if we want the best possible outcome for these two Australians,” he told Sky News.

Mr Abbott said the two appeared to be as rehabilitated and repentant as serious drug criminals could be.

“It would be a real pity if these executions did go ahead,” he said.

Mr Abbott said there would be a real issue for Indonesia if it proceeded with death sentences on those on death row, which includes at least 40 foreigners.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said sensitivity was needed at this time.

“I think we should all be careful with the commentary that we undertake in relation to this,” she told reporters in Perth.

“We understand that legal proceedings are still underway and I believe it would be unthinkable for planning to proceed for these executions while there was still legal avenues open,” she said.