(Transcript from SBS World News Radio)
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has ordered the national flag be flown at half-mast at all Australian government establishments on Saturday, with the date of a day of mourning yet to be announced.
There are reports of victims from almost every state and territory of Australia.
Sacha Payne reports.
(Click on the audio tab above to hear the full report)
Mr Abbott told Parliament it's a grim day for Australia, and the world.
He says a team from the Department of Foreign Affairs team is travelling to Kiev, and has promised bodies of Australian victims will be repatriated to Australia as soon as possible.
He says the crash does not appear to be an accident.
"We owe it as well to the families of the dead to find out exactly what has happened and exactly who is responsible. As things stand, Madam Speaker, this looks less like an accident than a crime. I want to repeat this. As things stand, this looks less like an accident than a crime. And, if so, the perpetrators must be brought to justice."
United Nation schief Ban Ki-moon has echoed calls for a full investigation.
The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Ukraine tonight.
Mr Abbott says Australia wants to know exactly what happened.
"Australia will be working at the United Nations Security Council for a binding resolution calling for a full and impartial investigation with full access to the site, with full access to the debris, with full access to the black box and with full access to all individuals who might be in a position to shed light on this terrible event. And I can also inform the House that the Minister for foreign affairs will shortly summons the Russian ambassador to seek a categoric assurance from the ambassador that the Russian Government will fully cooperate in this investigation."
Federal opposition leader Bill Shorten has described the news as worse than shocking.
"It is debilitating, bewildering with bewildering losses. Travelling at six miles height, this is unimaginable. This is a violation of the rules of civilisation. It is a tyrannical, wild act."
Greens Deputy Leader and member for Melbourne, Adam Bandt says many in the city will be personally touched by the tragedy.
"Melbourne had been getting ready for some time for the AIDS 2014 conference and this weekend the city was looking forward to welcoming a number of people home and also welcoming a number of distinguished international guests and researchers. Thousands of lives are going to be touched by this tragedy and it's a reminder that any one of us in this parliament or in this country could have been on that plane."
The flight was reportedly carrying some of the world's top AIDS experts, enroute to an international conference in Melbourne.
President elect of the International AIDS Society, or IAS, Dr Chris Beyrer, says the Society's former President, Joep Lange is believed to be among those who perished.
"At this incredibly sad and sensitive time, the IAS stands with our international family and sends condolences to the loved ones of this tragedy. The IAS is hearing unconfirmed reports that some of our friends and colleagues were on board the flight and if that is the case, this is truly a sad day. The IAS also heard reports that among the passengers was a former IAS President, Joep Lange and if that is the case, then the HIV-AIDS movement has truly lost a giant."
DFAT has established a 24 hour hotline for anyone with concerns about loved ones.
That number is 1300 555 135.
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