We want our kids to be curious but above all we want them to be safe

From the moment our children are born, our strongest urge is to protect them. As they grow and go out into the world on their own, we can’t help but fear a call that will shatter everything.

In the past week, the families of two young Australians got that call. The whole country is holding those families in our hearts, knowing that for them nothing will ever be the same.

Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones were two best friends, together exploring the world and life itself. Like so many young friends before them, sharing adventures that would shape their passage into adulthood.

No teenager should have their future taken from them like that. No parent should receive a call like that. And all of us never want to see it happen again.

We want our children to be curious and to explore the world – but above all we want them to be safe.

As Minister for Foreign Affairs of a nation of bold travellers, one of the things I worry about most is helping Australians stay safe in a world that is often dangerous.

We’re well served by selfless consular staff when we find ourselves in trouble overseas. And we also have Smartraveller, an online one-stop shop that our experts have built so Australians can prepare for what’s beyond our shores.

None of us can ever anticipate every risk, but we must do what we can to lessen the chance something goes wrong.

We owe it to ourselves and each other to talk more about risks that are all too real. We owe it to Bianca and Holly.

Methanol poisoning is an insidious killer. It disguises itself in the form of counterfeit or poorly regulated alcohol. Many people are unaware of the risk. It’s present in many parts of the world, where alcohol production is less strictly regulated than in Australia.

It can be in local home-brewed spirits, mixed into cocktails or even appear as brand name alcohol. But it’s highly toxic. As little as one shot can be fatal.

It’s important to know the symptoms of methanol poisoning – which can include fatigue, headaches, breathlessness, abdominal pain, nausea and vision problems.

They can be similar to a bad hangover, so people often delay getting treatment. The best advice is to be prepared.

Know what could go wrong, and how to avoid it. Know where the nearest hospital is, and how to get there in an emergency. Urgent medical attention could save a life.

Be careful drinking cocktails and drinks made with spirits. Drink only at reputable licensed premises, and know that in other countries, labels on bottles aren’t always accurate.

There are many other risks to be aware of when partying overseas, which is why wherever you’re going in the world, Smartraveller should be your first destination. And if your kids are going overseas, use Smartraveller to have conversations about how to stay safe.

While we’re encouraging these conversations here at home, we’re also working overseas. Australian officials in Laos and Thailand are working closely with local authorities, including offering assistance from the AFP in relation to the Lao investigation that is under way.

In my discussions with the Lao Foreign Minister, we’ve agreed that the investigation must be thorough and transparent. This would help prevent a repeat of such tragic events – and help Australians travel to Laos with more confidence.

Our officials are also co-ordinating with representatives from other countries who have citizens affected, including Denmark, the UK and the US. We’ll keep up all that work in pursuit of justice, as Australians expect us to. And as we head into summer, when Aussies go overseas in droves, I encourage parents and young people to be informed, talk about risks, and have a plan.

Remember Bianca and Holly. Be adventurous but stay vigilant. Watch your mates and watch your drinks. And please travel safe over summer.

Originally published in The Herald Sun on Thursday, 28 November 2024.