[Peetwo]

MH17 & MH370: Fighting words from Julie Bishop -  

Via the Oz yesterday:

Malaysia ‘must help families’


12:00amSAM BUCKINGHAM-JONES

Julie Bishop has urged her Malaysian counterpart to ensure he families of victims of flights MH17 and MH370 get support.

Malaysia Airlines must support victims’ families, Julie Bishop tells minister

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Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has met her Malaysian counterpart and urged him to ensure his country supports the families of victims of flights MH17 and MH370.

The Australian understands Ms Bishop had a lengthy discussion with Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anifah Aman on Tuesday while in Kuwait with other world leaders to discuss strategies to defeat Islamic State.

“The Australian government is aware that a number of families of Australian victims are seeking compensation from Malaysia Airlines,” Ms Bishop said. “We urge Malaysia Airlines to meet its obligations under the Montreal Convention in relation to compensation in a timely manner.”

It has been more than 3½ years since 298 people — including 38 Australian citizens and residents — died after MH17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine while travelling from Amsterdam in The Netherlands to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

A coronial inquest in NSW investigating the deaths of six victims who lived in the state found all died “as a result of a high altitude aircraft disintegration caused by the detonation of a warhead.”

Many families who lost loved ones remain locked in legal ­battles for compensation. Julia Robson, a close family friend of Tim Lauschet who lost his mother, Gabriele, on MH17, said prolonged legal action was taking its toll on Mr Lauschet.

“Every meeting, every email exhumes his bad memories,” she said. “It doesn’t allow him to move on. ”

Mr Lauschet, 25, was forced to sell his parents’ home after being laden with a large mortgage after his mother’s death. “He was once a really confident young man,” Ms Robson said.

“But when you have to cope with the thought of your loved one’s death, it has an impact.”

She said there had been promises of support from different bodies and calls from politicians for a speedy resolution to the legal disputes in the past.

“It has been very easy for Mal­aysia Airlines to set that aside and continue on their merry way,” Ms Robson said.

At least six other families — the Oreshkins, Lees, Horders, O’Briens, Guards and Rizks — are also seeking compensation in Australian courts.

Ms Bishop said yesterday Australia was “resolute” that groups responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 “be held to account and is supporting prosecution efforts in The Netherlands”.

Australia has agreed to prosecute those responsible for the murder of those on board MH17.

A spokeswoman for Clyde & Co, which is acting for Malaysian Airlines in their court proceedings, said: “Clyde & Co does not comment on confidential client matters.”

MH370, meanwhile, dis­appeared with 239 people on board on March 8, 2014, on a scheduled flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

After prolonged court cases, a number of the relatives of Aus­tralian victims have settled their cases.

Several are still battling for information and documents in their bid for compensation.

MTF...P2