French Alps plane crash: Strained Bishop in familiar role

Australian Foreign Affairs minister Julie Bishop has once again fronted a press conference to share details of another air disaster. Photo / Getty Images

Foreign Minister again tells Australians of the deaths of fellow citizens in tragic circumstances overseas.

Too often Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has had to inform the nation of deaths in horrific circumstances overseas.

The weight of that burden was evident yesterday as she once more fronted an early morning press conference to share details of another air disaster that has plunged an Australian family into searing grief.

Like too many others over the past year, a Victorian woman and her adult son won't be returning home to those they love. Their remains, along with 148 others, lie among the shattered remains of Germanwings Flight 4U9525, high in the snow-covered French Alps.

Greig Friday

Later Bishop confirmed those killed were 68-year-old Carol Friday and her 29-year-old son, Greig.

Carol Friday

Bishop read out a statement from the family in Parliament.

They were "in deep disbelief and crippled with sadness", it said.

Friday was a loving mother of two and devoted wife to her husband Dave. She had just celebrated her birthday.

Greig was to turn 30 in April, and was adored by all his family and friends.

The two were enjoying a few weeks on holiday before the start of Greig's stay in Europe, where he was to teach English this year.

"They will forever be with us in our hearts, memories and dreams," the statement read.

The deaths have pushed Australia's death toll in air disasters over the past year to 46.

Some 38 Australians died when Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was shot down over Eastern Ukraine in July last year. Just a few months earlier, in March, six Australians perished when Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 vanished en route to Beijing.

The strain of yet another tragedy was clear on Bishop's face and in her voice. "I don't think it gets any easier announcing the deaths of Australian citizens in a tragedy overseas."

Pausing at times, she encouraged Australians not to be fearful and to do what they've always done.

"Australians are inveterate travellers and we cannot be changing our behaviours because of what is apparently being treated as an accident."

Australia is sending consular officials to a town near the crash site, where they'll help manage the flow of information and the grim task of trying to recover the remains of the woman and her son.

Australia's recent plane disaster toll

2014
October: PNG - Australian co-pilot dies along with three others in a twin engine plane crash near Port Moresby.
July 17: Ukraine - 38 Australians among 298 people killed when Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 is shot down over a rebel-held area of Eastern Ukraine.
March 8: Location unknown - Six Australians among 239 people killed when Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 vanishes en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
2013
October: Laos - Six Australians among 49 killed when Lao Airlines flight QV301 crashes while trying to land during a storm at Pakse International Airport.