THE estranged wife of Peter Lloyd, the ABC foreign correspondent facing drug charges in Singapore, last night declared: "I have known him for 22 years and I will tell you now: the man is not a drug trafficker."

Lloyd, 41, ended his marriage to Kirsty McIvor when he came out as homosexual. But in a speech at a benefit attended by some of the biggest names in Australian media, she was resolute.

She told guests at the Waverley Bowling Club she had twice been to Singapore to see her "best friend" since his arrest in July.

He had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and was undergoing treatment, she said.

"He is a very sick man and that is a direct result of the work he has been doing for the past seven years. He is struggling, of course, but he's managing to get through. I want to let you know he is fine."

Guests included 7.30 Report host Kerry O'Brien, ABC presenter Virginia Trioli, Greig Pickhaver - aka H.G. Nelson - The Chaser's Chris Taylor and Four Corners reporter Liz Jackson. Ms McIvor's friend and SBS reporter Amanda Collinge said Lloyd planned to write a note of thanks to all who attended the fund-raiser. Lloyd was charged with offences including trafficking, possessing and consuming methamphetamine.

He is free on $S60,000 bail. If found guilty of the more serious charges he could face 20 years in jail and 15 strokes of the cane.