Defence Minister Richard Marles says the Australian government expects a thorough investigation into the death of Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, who died after consuming alcohol in Laos last year, but local police are yet to take up an offer for the Australian Federal Police to be involved.
Goldstein MP Zoe Daniel – whose electorate was where the girls were from – asked Marles for an update on the matter.
Bianca Jones (left) and Holly Bowles died after being poisoned in Laos.Credit: 60 Minutes
Marles said what happened to the girls was an unimaginable loss, and it was understandable parents wanted to know the outcome of the case so justice could be achieved.
“The Australian Federal Police have made an offer to the authorities in Laos to provide their assistance in the investigation, and there is a whole lot of capability that the Australian Federal Police could bring to bear in terms of this investigation,” Marles said.
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“I have to report, sadly to the house, that, at this point, the Laos authorities have not taken up that invitation on … that offer.
“I would want to assure the families of Bianca and Holly that we remain in contact with the Laos authorities and that the offer of assistance is consistently offered and raised with the Laos authorities.
“Beyond that, I want to make this point as well. The Minister for Foreign Affairs [Penny Wong] has spoken to her counterpart in Laos and made clear it is the expectation of the Australian government that there be a thorough investigation into these events.”
