Albanese government rolls out methanol poisoning awareness campaign after deaths of Melbourne teens

The tragic deaths of two Melbourne teens has sparked a new initiative aimed at protecting young Aussies and school leavers.

Young Aussies and school leavers will be warned of the dangers of drinking alcohol overseas and taught how to protect themselves from drink spiking following the tragic death of two 19-year-old best friends in Laos.

The alcohol safety campaign follows increased safety fears of bootleg alcohol after the death Melbourne teenagers Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles in Vang Vieng last November.

The girls were among six people who died as a result of the mass-poisoning event in the popular tourist town.

Amid continued scrutiny into the Laotian government’s investigation into the deaths, the Albanese government will roll out a nationwide awareness campaign warning of the risks of methanol-tainted alcohol.

The large-scale awareness campaign was sparked by the deaths of Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, who died of methanol poisoning in Laos. Picture: 60 Minutes

The content will target social media platforms, and specific destinations such as Southeast Asia.

Travellers will also receive advice and alerts through social media, text messages and airport campaigns warning of the dangers of drink spiking and alcohol safety.

The programs will focus on the signs of methanol poisoning, and safety precautions to protect young Aussies and their friends from having their drinks spiked.

Smartraveller will also establish a safety hub hosting resources for parents, school and travellers set to go live by June 2025, and organisations like Red Frogs and the Nicole Fitzsimmons Foundation will also be engaged by the government to run presentations at schools.

The safety initiative follows a renewed commitment from the Australian government to press Laotian authorities for updates on the investigation into the deaths of Ms Jones and Ms Bowles.

Previously Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she had informed Laotian authorities she expected a “full, thorough, transparent investigation,” and for the people responsible for the poisonings to be held to account.

This comes as the families of the teenage girls told 60 Minutes in February that they’ve yet to receive any updates into the investigation.

The Laotian government has also rejected offers of assistance from the Australian Federal Police.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong vowed to continue to press the Laotian government for updates into the investigation. Picture: NewsWire/ Martin Ollman

Announcing the awareness campaign, Senator Wong paid tribute to the families of Ms Jones and Ms Bowles.

“The families of Holly and Bianca are foremost in my mind today, and also the many families of other Australians who have lost loved ones,” she said.

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

“These efforts will help young Australians travelling overseas to protect themselves from methanol poisoning, drinking spiking and other alcohol harms.”

Assistant Foreign Affair Minister Tim Watts said he hoped the campaign would teach young Australians of the “additional and different” risks involved with consuming alcohol overseas.

“The Australian government’s increased messaging and targeted advice to young travellers, including school leavers and their parents through social media will help raise awareness of the serious and varied risks from alcohol consumption overseas,” he said.