The Laos government has not yet taken up offers from the Australian Federal Police to assist in the investigation of six tourists deaths — including two Australian teenagers — from methanol poisoning last year.
Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19, tragically died in November after consuming tainted alcohol at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, a popular party destination for tourists.
Their deaths, along with four other foreign nationals, have sparked outrage as the families continue to await answers four months on.
Speaking in parliament on Thursday, Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles confirmed that while the AFP had made repeated offers to support the investigation, Laos authorities have yet to take up the offer.
“I have to report sadly to the house that at this point the Laos authorities have not taken up that invitation on the part of the AFP,” Marles said, per the ABC.
“We remain in contact with the Laos authorities and the offer of assistance is being consistently offered and raised with the Laos authorities.”
He maintained the Australian government is committed to ensuring the investigation continues.
“We will continue to press Laos to pursue this investigation and we will continue to offer the assistance of the Australian government through the AFP,” Marles stated.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has also been in contact with her counterpart in Laos to ensure a thorough investigation is conducted, he added.
“It is the expectation of the Australian government that there be a thorough investigation into these events, this crime, and that the perpetrators be found, and that that is the expectation in the context of our relationship with Laos — and that has been directly related by the minister for foreign affairs to her counterpart,” Marles said.
Education Minister Jason Clare has described Laos’ decision as “really disappointing”, telling Sunrise: “Two young Australian women died here. We need to know why, how this happened.”
He added that Laos authorities haven’t rejected the AFP’s offer of support, rather they “just haven’t taken up the offer yet”, with discussions still ongoing.
Despite previous promises from Laos officials to bring the perpetrators to justice, there has been little progress or updates.
More than a dozen tourists were hospitalised after falling ill following a night of drinking at the hostel, with Laos authorities initially detaining several workers for questioning. But details of the investigation remain scarce.
Bianca’s parents Mark and Michelle Jones pictured with and Holly’s parents Sam and Shaun Bowles. (Source: 9News)
The families of the Melbourne teenagers are understandably frustrated. The Bowles and Jones families issued a joint statement, expressing their deep disappointment.
“As the Laos government rejects any support from the AFP, our confidence in accountability and justice for everyone affected remains unanswered,” the statement read, per 9News.
Speaking to 60 Minutes earlier this month, Bianca’s heartbroken father Mark Jones said the past few months “have been hell”, with the families are no closer to finding out the truth.
“We’ve heard nothing. So I can’t be confident about anything,” he said.
Shaun Bowles, Holly’s father, added that it is “just not good enough” for authorities to not reach out with more information.
Lead image: 9News
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