WA service to come for MH17 victims
A state memorial service for the seven West Australians who died on MH17 will be announced once the national day of mourning is known, Premier Colin Barnett says.
The premier expressed his heartfelt sympathies to the victims' loved ones for the "innocent loss of life in a faraway place" and said he would personally write to each of the families.
Condolence books will be available in Perth shortly for members of the public to sign, including one at Parliament House.
The premier said WA Police and the disaster victim identification unit were on standby in case families were required to travel to Ukraine to identify relatives.
"I'm sure for the families and friends of those who lost their lives that would be a further harrowing experience to go through," Mr Barnett said.
"Hopefully international cooperation will give access to that site and loved ones can be recovered and brought home."
Mr Barnett said Russia should immediately exercise its authority in the area to ensure the crash site was protected.
"To shoot down a passenger airline, there's no excuse for that, but I think the lack of respect that seems to be shown to that site is unacceptable," he said.
"Any loss of life is sad for the families concerned, but I think to see a grandfather and his three [grand]children lost is probably the most poignant of all the sad stories," he said in reference to victims Nick Norris and his three grandchildren, Mo, Evie and Otis Maslin.
