Utter outrage over MH17 site contamination: Bishop

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has called on Russia to support any United Nations resolution that seeks to secure the site of the MH17 air crash.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has urged Russia to back a swift investigation into the MH17 disaster. (AAP)

Julie Bishop is in New York to push the United Nations Security Council to consider a resolution drafted by Australia calling for an international investigation into the shooting down of the plane.

298 people were killed in the Malaysia Airlines tragedy including 37 Australian citizens or permanent residents. About 200 of those bodies have been moved to refrigerated railway carriages near the crash scene in eastern Ukraine.

Pro-Russian rebels who hold the area have given no indication of what they plan to do next with the bodies.

Ms Bishop says Australia and all countries affected by the tragedy are demanding the bodies be handed over to the independent experts.

"I would expect Russia to fully support any resolution that seeks to secure the site and establish an independent investigation," she said.

"Even on Russia's version of the events, there should be an independent impartial investigation as soon as possible."

"But as for the securing of the site, it's an utter outrage that that site has been contaminated, that bodies have been removed and that they've not been handed over to independent authorities."

Australian experts are on the ground in Ukraine, as part of a team of international experts sent to help local officials identify victims of the crash.

Russian-backed separatists have so far prevented investigators from accessing evidence at the site and the bodies of almost 300

Australia is pushing for a UN-backed resolution, which calls for separatists to allow international access to the site and requires the full cooperation of all countries in the region.

Ms Bishop has called for an urgent vote - which could take place as soon as Monday.

Russia, as a permanent member of the council, has the power to veto the resolution, but Ms Bishop said she expected all countries to back the Australian campaign.

"I would expect every country to give it their full support," she told reporters in Washington.

Ms Bishop will hold talks with the Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans and UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond about the resolution.

 "Australia has a lot at stake here," she said.

"They have been murdered and the Australian government will not rest until we're able to bring the bodies home to the Australian families who are waiting for them."





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Source: SBS Radio


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