The Australian government has appointed a Special Envoy to drive investigations and transparency into the deaths of two Australians in Laos in 2024.

Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, two teenagers from Melbourne, as well as four other foreign nationals, were killed when they drank alcohol tainted with methanol at Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng.

No one has been held fully accountable for the deaths of the pair, though 10 people were fined $185 for destruction of evidence in relation to the death of a US citizen last week, fines the families of Bowles and Jones called “absolutely disgraceful”.

Nana Backpacker Hostel, LaosBowles and Jones were staying at a hostel in the tourist town of Vang Vieng. (Nine)

Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the appointment of Pablo Kang as Special Envoy to ensure greater communication and investigations into the deaths.

“We have consistently conveyed our expectations that charges should reflect the seriousness of the tragedy that killed Holly, Bianca and four other foreign nationals,” she said in a statement this morning.

Holly Bowles (right) and her best friend Bianca Jones (left), aged 19, had been enjoying a backpacking holiday with friends in Laos. (Nine)

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“I have asked Mr Kang to depart for Laos as soon as possible this week and explore all avenues to progress the case.”

Kang heads the Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and has served as Ambassador and High Commissioner to several countries in the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East.

Shaun Bowles + Mark Jones - Devastated families of Holly + Bianca condemn weak sentence of people responsible for their deaths in Laos Today Show Fewbruary 10, 2026The families of Bowles and Jones only found out about the court case through other victims’ families, and not the Australian government. (Today)

DFAT issued an apology to the Bowles and Jones families this week after failing to inform them of the court findings. They were only informed through other victims’ families.

Wong acknowledged the pain the delay of justice and accountability has caused the families.

Penny Wong said she understood the pain caused by delays and a lack of transparency in the investigation of the death of Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones in Laos.Wong said she understood the pain caused by delays and a lack of transparency in the investigation. (Alex Ellinghausen)

“We understand the heartbreaking grief of the families of Holly and Bianca, which has been exacerbated by the delays and lack of transparency over the legal processes in Laos,” she said.

“The Albanese Government will continue to press the Lao authorities on Holly and Bianca’s cases and will continue to support their families in their pursuit of justice.”
Source: https://www.9news.com.au/national/holly-bowles-bianca-jones-deaths-laos-methanol-poisoning-australia-special-envoy-penny-wong/cad01368-2259-417d-ab5d-cb4d65bb3fb9