- Live coverage: Malaysia Airlines MH17 crash
- MH17 violence a violation of the rules of civilisation, says Shorten
The Prime Minister spoke briefly in the lower house, where he informed his political colleagues that the plane seemed to have been shot down by Russian backed rebels.
"We owe it to the families of the dead to find out exactly what has happened and exactly who is responsible," he said.
"As things stand, this looks less like an accident than a crime. If so, the perpetrators must be brought to justice."
Mr Abbott said Foreign Minister Julie Bishop would summon the Russian Ambassador to seek a “categoric assurance” that the Russian Government will fully cooperate in the full and impartial investigation which the government is seeking.
He said Australian authorities will be seeking full access to the site and the black box form the site.
He said a DFAT team was preparing to leave and families of the victims will be offered counselling.
"At least 27 Australians have been killed," he said.
" … We can’t restore them to life, but we can and will do everything to support them in this sad and bitter time, because that is the Australian way. We help in times of trouble."
Mr Abbott also directed comments towards Russia, saying that "the bullying of small countries by big ones, the trampling of justice and decency in the pursuit of national aggrandizement and reckless indifference to human life should have no place in our world".
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