THE MH17 TRAGEDY – AUSTRALIA’S RESPONSE SO FAR:
* Prime Minister Tony Abbott has held a round of calls with world leaders, including US President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. He has also spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin, seeking Moscow’s co-operation with any international investigation.
* Foreign Minister Julie Bishop was been dispatched to New York to lobby for a UN Security Council-backed resolution demanding Russian-backed rebels grant access to the site.
* Air Chief Marshal (retired) Angus Houston has been appointed prime minister’s special envoy to lead the recovery and repatriation of Australian victims, and co-ordinate diplomatic, disaster and crash site investigation efforts.
* 45 Australian officials deployed: 20 from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; 20 Australian Federal Police officers; two transport safety investigators; three defence officials.
* Other specialist teams are on standby, along with an Australian C17 military aircraft.
* The government is seeking advice on whether it can designate the disaster an act of terrorism, therefore allowing the families of victims to access federal compensation.
*Government flags were ordered to fly at half-mast on Saturday. A day of mourning has also been announced but a date has yet to be set.
With AAP
IMAGE: Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott addresses the media during a press conference at Parliament House about the flight MH17 disaster. As of today it is understood that up to 39 Australian citizens and residents were on Malaysia Airlines flight MH1 which was reportedly shot down over Eastern Ukraine. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)