More than a week has passed since 298 people, including Australian citizens and residents, were shot out of the sky in an act of barbarous terror.

 

The nation’s shock and grief has turned to frustration as we wait for answers to this unspeakable crime.

 

This afternoon I spoke with the Prime Minister regarding the deployment of Australian Federal Police officers to Ukraine as part of a Dutch-led, unarmed police operation.

 

I offered the Prime Minister Labor’s full support for this mission.

 

The priority is and must continue to be the recovery of the bodies, their identification, and their repatriation to grieving families.

 

In a dangerous and volatile environment, this is the most sensible course of action.

 

There is no doubt this will be a difficult mission, but Labor has full confidence in the skill and professionalism of the AFP officers undertaking this task. I know all Australians will keep them in their thoughts.

 

Labor will continue to seek regular briefings from the Government as the mission progresses.

 

We owe it to the families of the victims to bring their loved ones home.

 

 

SUNDAY, 27 JULY 2014

 

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