Conspiracy Theories – Make up your own conspiracy theory

1. Choose your topic. You don't need to have any special inside information, just choose something that is of great interest to the media and the public.

Australia's favourite convicted drug trafficker, Schapelle Corby, is a great subject for a conspiracy theory. Her arrest, trial and appeal for trying to import 4kg of marijuana into Bali were big news stories in Australia and public opinion regarding her guilt or innocence was divided. Media reports provided huge amounts of relevant and irrelevant information, which can be used to piece together a convincing conspiracy theory.

2. Find some coincidental information, preferably something which has some unusual elements to it.

At the beginning of Schapelle's trial, nine Australians (the 'Bali Nine') were arrested by Indonesian authorities trying to smuggle heroin from Bali to Australia. These arrests were the result of information provided by the Australian Federal Police and there was no adequate explanation for why they facilitated the arrests in Bali where convicted drug smugglers face the death penalty rather than in Australia where there is no death penalty.

3. Make up a theory which links your event and the coincidental information in terms of a conspiracy. Make sure that your conspiracy theory explains any unusual elements of the official story.

Efforts by the Australian Government to secure the release of Schapelle Corby were initially thwarted by the Indonesian Government who do not treat drug trafficking leniently. In a secret deal between the two governments, information allowing the arrest of the Bali Nine was exchanged for Schapelle's release. This deal enabled the Indonesian Government to prosecute a high profile drug trafficking case and hid the involvement of the Australian Government. Importantly, this theory explains why the Australian Federal Police allowed the Bali Nine to be arrested in Bali instead of Australia.

4. Find supporting evidence that makes your conspiracy theory more convincing. Disorganisation and mistakes can be construed as evidence of the conspirators covering something up.

The Australian Government was criticised for not doing all that it could to help Schapelle but was unable to publicise its involvement. The Australian Federal Police were asked by a concerned parent to warn one of the Bali Nine but were unable to do so because the secret deal had already been struck.

5. Make changes to your theory to fit with further developments. Never admit that it may be wrong.

This example was dreamed up prior to the guilty verdict in Schapelle's trial. This slight setback for my conspiracy theory prompted a modification to claim that the judges in the original trial were not to be influenced and that she would be freed after her appeal. Of course, the results of her appeals were a further setback for my theory which now predicts that she will get a Presidential pardon (but she needs to admit guilt for this to happen). If this does not happen then I will simply say that the Indonesians went back on their word. At no time will I admit that my theory is wrong.

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