Laos methanol poisoning: Anthony Albanese under pressure as Bianca Jones, Holly Bowles families demand justice
The Albanese Government is under mounting pressure to intervene after the families of two Australian teenagers who died in Laos said those allegedly responsible could face little more than a slap on the wrist.
Labor has refused to rule out further action against Laos after the families of two Australian teenagers who died from methanol poisoning pleaded for Anthony Albanese to intervene over what they say is a failure to deliver justice.
The parents of Melbourne friends Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19, have urged the Prime Minister to personally raise the case with his Lao counterpart after being advised those allegedly responsible could face a maximum sentence of just one year in jail and a collective fine of about $1600.
Appearing on Sunrise on Friday, Acting Foreign Minister Mark Butler said Australians were “devastated” by the developments and confirmed the Government was waiting for further details from Lao authorities before deciding its next steps.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“We’re all devastated by this,” Mr Butler said.
“Holly and Bianca lost their lives at just 19, two young Melbourne girls who were off on their coming-of-age trip, and four other foreign nationals lost their lives at the same time in what was an absolute tragedy and absolute travesty.”
Mr Butler said Australia had consistently pushed Laos for “transparency and, importantly, accountability” and had even offered Australian Federal Police assistance if investigators needed help gathering evidence to support prosecutions.
“We offered our own Federal Police to go over there and assist with gathering the evidence that would ground a proper prosecution here to ensure that people were held accountable for the loss of all of these innocent young lives,” he said.
Asked whether Australia’s foreign aid to Laos could now be reviewed, Mr Butler stopped short of committing to any action, saying the Government would first assess the outcome of a press conference expected from Lao authorities later on Friday.
“We’ll have more to say about this when we understand fully what is said in the press conference later today,” he said.
“But I do make the point that these foreign aid provisions are intended to prevent these sorts of things happening in the first place.”
Deputy Opposition Leader Jane Hume said Australians expected the Government to exhaust every diplomatic option available.
“I would hope that the Prime Minister would use every single lever he can pull, every diplomatic lever he could, including engaging with his counterpart, to make sure that justice can be delivered for these two young girls,” she said.
