Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We have received the very sad confirmation from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that, tragically, Bianca Jones has lost her life. Our first thoughts in this moment are with her family and friends, who are grieving a terrible and cruel loss. This is every parent's very worse fear and a nightmare that no-one should have to endure. All Australians offer them our deepest sympathy in this time of heartbreak.

Bianca's trip should have been a joyous time and a source of fond memories in years to come—memories that she should have carried with her into the long, bright future that lay ahead of her. It is beyond sad that this was not to be.

We also take this moment to say we're thinking of Bianca's friend Holly Bowles, who is fighting for her life there in Laos. Australians hold her and her family in our hearts as we pray for her and we hope for a good recovery.

I also want to take the opportunity to thank those people in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. When Australians are in trouble, they always pitch in and do a remarkable job, providing representation for Australians wherever that may be around the world. I know that the member for Goldstein wishes to make a comment as well.

Zoe Daniel (Goldstein, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Bianca and Holly went on a holiday to Southeast Asia—a rite of passage that many young Australians experience. If you were to look at their holiday photos, you would see the wonderful adventure that these best friends were having together. They could be any of our teenaged kids embarking on life from the wonderful suburbs of Bayside, Melbourne, where they've both grown up—gone to school at Mentone Girls' Grammar and Beaumaris Secondary College, worked in casual jobs and then, of course, played AFLW together at the famous Beauie Sharks. Bianca's parents, Michelle and Mark, and her brother Lachlan have been by her side during this ordeal, for the last few days. Today, of course, they're suffering pain beyond measure, a pain that no parent or sibling should ever experience.

I offer my sympathy to Bianca's family and also my strength to Holly's parents, Shaun and Samantha, who remain at her bedside in Bangkok. I'm sure, as I do, the House sends love and strength—along with people all around the country—to the families of these two young Aussie girls who just headed off on an adventure together.

I know that so many members of our community are connected to these girls and to these families. I feel your grief. Our hearts are broken.

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to 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.