It's been 25 days after Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down near the Russian and Ukrainian border, killing all 283 passengers and 15 crew on board.
Mr Abbott flew to The Hague overnight, where the painstaking victim recovery and identification is focussed.
He wants to personally thank his Dutch counterpart, Mark Rutte, for his ongoing efforts to help bring home the remains of the 38 Australian victims.
He also wants to meet with the more than 500 defence force personnel, Australian Federal Police and diplomatic staff involved in the operation to bring closure to affected families.
It is, Mr Abbott says, harrowing work being carried out under increasingly dangerous circumstances.
A team of Australian and Dutch investigators left the crash site in Ukraine’s east on the weekend, suspending the search for human remains due to increased fighting between Ukrainian solders and pro-Russian separatists.
So far only 65 victims have been formally identified, none of them Australian.
Mr Abbott told media that four teams, including one Australian group, were conducting the identification process.
“As soon as people have been identified, next of kin are notified,” he said.
“We've offered to fly next of kin to the Netherlands so they can accompany their loved ones back to Australia, because it's very important that we accord to these people, so cruelly cut down, dignity and respect in death that they certainly weren't accorded by the Russian-backed rebels who shot their plane out of the sky.”
As Australian diplomats warn Russia could face tougher sanctions, the prime ministers will discuss the ongoing investigation into precisely who is responsible for the downing of the Boeing aircraft, before Tony Abbott signs the nation’s official book of condolence.
From The Hague, Mr Abbott will travel to London for briefings on what he describes as “the deteriorating strategic situation” in Iraq, confirming that Australia has been speaking with the United States and United Kingdom about joining the international relief effort.
“We are looking to assist as quickly as we can,” he said.
“… If Australia is required to be involved, yes, it will be days not weeks.”
The prime minister is due to return to Australia on Thursday.
