Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

I join in supporting the fine words of the Prime Minister and the member for Goldstein. On behalf of the coalition, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and the friends of this beautiful young girl. This story has been shocking, from the moment it was reported—up to 10 young people have been the subject of this terrible incident, some of who have lost their lives and, as we point out, one young Australian who is still on life support.

It is unimaginable, and I share in the comments from the member for Goldstein that any of us who have had a son or daughter travel overseas know this could easily happen to anyone. It is unimaginable. You go through what you could have done differently. There's nothing. It's one of those circumstances that you could never provide for, that could never have been prevented.

I thank, as the Prime Minister did, the DFAT staff, the Laos authorities and those people who have provided medical attention and support to the family. Our heartfelt support goes out to Mark, Michelle and Lachlan Jones. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are still on life support. We hope that there can be some comfort to the family in knowing that every Australian's heart is breaking at the moment for this tragic loss.

See this speech in context