Interview with Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo, TODAY show

Karl Stefanovic, Host: The families of the backpackers who died from a mass methanol poisoning in Laos want answers into how such a disaster could have happened. Parents of Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones have told 60 Minutes that it's been hell, and they're gutted by the silence from the Laos Government. Foreign Minister Penny Wong joins us now.

Penny, thanks for your time this morning - appreciate it. We have two families on their knees for answers. It's a horrendous ordeal for them. Will they get the full story?

Penny Wong, Foreign Minister: Well, good morning. Good to be with you, Karl. And, look, our hearts go out to the Bianca and Holly's families. This is, this is hellish for them and, you know, my heart goes out to them. What I said to the Laotian Government is that we expect a full, thorough, transparent investigation, and we expect that those responsible are brought to justice. It is entirely reasonable for the families to want answers. It is entirely reasonable for the families to want the government to be upfront with them. And that will continue to be my message to Laos. We want answers. We want transparency, and we want those who are responsible for causing the deaths of two beautiful, young Australian women brought to justice.

Sarah Abo, Host: Good morning, Senator. I mean, the horror here. I mean, as we heard from the families in the 60 Minutes yesterday, it's just so devastating. These young girls are on a trip of a lifetime as we're seeing images of them here, they're so full of life. The families are now saying they've been left in the dark. They actually have no hope that they'll ever have answers. How do you change that? What actually can you do? Because Laos is shutting down here.

Foreign Minister: We will be very clear, continue to be very clear with Laos about the expectations not just of the Government, but of the families, and the broader Australian community. Australians want answers. We know methanol poisoning is an insidious poison. We know that people face risks when authorities and owners don't do the right things. People expect that answers are given and that justice is done. And that will continue to be my message to Laos. We certainly are engaging with them. We've offered them assistance. We want to know what happened. And we also want to make sure that no young Australian faces, or no young person from any country, faces these sorts of risks again.

Stefanovic: How realistic is a decent response from them?

Foreign Minister: Well, I'll continue to do my part, which is to press on behalf of Bianca and Holly's families and on behalf of this country for the answers that we want.

Abo: Yeah, and we will be speaking to the parents of the girls in the next hour as well, to hear from them. But let's move on now. And the world is reacting after US President Donald Trump launched a trade war targeting Canada, Mexico and China. There will undoubtedly be flow on effects right across the world. Are you worried, Senator, about us being next?

Foreign Minister: One of the great benefits of being at the inauguration of President Trump, which was a great honour on behalf of the country, was the opportunity to speak from day one with members of the Trump Administration and my counterpart, Secretary Marco Rubio. And the point I made is Australia is in a position where the US has a trade surplus with us, a two to one surplus in America's favour and that all goods from the US enter Australia free of tariffs or any impediments, as a consequence of the Free Trade Agreement. What I would say is obviously, this will affect global markets. That's self-evident. It is also obvious that this is consistent with what President Trump said he would do. He was very clear during the election campaign about his agenda. He is going to do things differently. We should expect that. And we have to face - navigate these circumstances with confidence and continue to engage with the Trump administration about the benefit of our relationship and our alliance and our economic relationship.

Stefanovic: You get any ironclad guarantees from Marco Rubio?

Foreign Minister: People were certainly receptive to the facts and figures that I put to them. I'll say no more than that. Because, look, it's important we continue to engage and continue to press Australia's interests. And that's what we'll keep doing.

Stefanovic: All right.

Abo: Receptive is a good start. Sure. Penny Wong, thank you so much for joining us.

Stefanovic: Thanks, Penny.

Foreign Minister: Great to be with you.