OUR DAUGHTERS DESERVED JUSTICE..! THE HEARTBROKEN PARENTS OF TWO AUSTRALIAN TEENS WHO D-I:ED IN THE LAOS METHANOL POISONING HAVE BROKEN THEIR SILENCE AS CHARGES COULD SOON BE LAID.
The parents of an Australian teen killed in a mass methanol poisoning in Laos have aired their fresh heartbreak as Lao officials prepare to finally lay charges on those allegedly responsible.
Holly Morton-Bowles and Bianca Jones, both aged 19, died after they were served alcohol laced with methanol at Nana Backpacker Hostel in November 2024.
Two Danish women, an American man and a British woman also died.
After a lengthy investigation, Laotian officials were reported overnight to be eyeing charges that carry up to one year in jail and a maximum fine of $1600.
Ms Morton-Bowles’ father said on Friday it was “hard to fathom”.
Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles died in a mass methanol poisoning incident in Laos. Picture: DrinkWise
“We’re really just trying to process the whole thing, to be perfectly honest,” Sean Bowles told Nine’s Today.
“We got this news through yesterday and it was. It’s just devastating for us. For me, it’s hard to fathom … 1600 bucks, potentially one year in prison for taking not just the two lives here but others as well.”
Ms Morton-Bowles’ mother said it was impossible to “justify”.
“What we want is justice for all the girls – that’s what we were hoping,” Samantha Morton said.
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“And … in the back of your mind, you’re wishing and you’re hoping and you’re thinking, yes, we can get some justice.”
She said the news had brought all the pain they felt back to the surface.
“It’s all emotions. It’s just a roller coaster,” she said.
Ms Morton called for “a last-minute appeal” from the Albanese government.
“We can appeal the charges, and I’m certainly hoping that we do, whichever charges are laid – I think that’s the first step,” she said.
“And of course, we ask for any support from anyone that can just add any more weight and maybe bring the charges forward that we’d like.”
Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones died in a mass methanol poisoning incident in Laos.
‘Bitterly disappointed’
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the Albanese government was “deeply frustrated and bitterly disappointed that authorities in Laos are not pursuing the most serious charges”.
Senator Wong has led Australia’s response, meeting with her Laotian counterpart several times and, along with Anthony Albanese, appointing a special envoy to help investigations.
“This devastating news will only add to the immense pain and grief suffered by the families and friends of Holly and Bianca,” she said.
“We have consistently made clear our expectations that charges should reflect the gravity of the tragedy that claimed the lives of Holly and Bianca in November 2024.
“What happened to Holly, Bianca and four other foreign nationals should never have happened.”
Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the government is ‘bitterly disappointed’. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman
Senator Wong said Australia had “advocated for a thorough and transparent investigation that takes into account all available evidence and for those responsible to be held to account”.
“We have engaged repeatedly and at the highest levels of the Lao government to support that objective,” she said, adding that special envoy Pablo Kang had been sent to Laos to “reinforce our expectations for an investigation that delivers justice for Holly, Bianca, and the other victims of the methanol poisoning”.
“The acting secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has also called in Laos’ ambassador this morning in Canberra,” Senator Wong said.
She said she would personally raise Australia’s disappointment with her counterpart at a summit next week.
“These discussions in the coming days in Canberra, Vientiane and Manila will help inform next steps,” she said.
“The Albanese government will continue to advocate for Holly and Bianca’s families with the Lao government at every level and will continue to provide consular assistance for as long as required.
“As ever, our thoughts are with the family and friends of Holly and Bianca.”
The teens were both 19. Picture: Instagram
Minister does not rule out aid cut
Earlier, fellow cabinet minister Mark Butler did not rule out cutting aid to Laos over its “lack of accountability and transparency” in investigating the methanol poisoning.
He said the government would wait for a scheduled press conference from Lao officials later in the day before making any decisions.
“But I want to assure Australians we feel as deeply about this lack of accountability and transparency as everyone else does,” Mr Butler said.
“It’s not the right thing to do, but it’s also, frankly, not in the interests of Laos itself.
“What parents now are going to let their young people go on this coming of age trip to that country when authorities have shown such a lack of interest in accountability and transparency.”
Asked point blank if aid could be cut to Laos, Mr Butler said the funds were about preventing “these sorts of things happening, not only to lift people out of poverty in our own region” but did not rule it out.
“We’ll look at all of those things,” he said.
