Peter Beattie, Offered sympathy to family of Irish girl who died
The Premier of Queensland has offered his sympathy to the family of an Irish girl who died in a fire in the town of Childers. Speaking at a news conference in Dublin, Peter Beattie also assured visitors that Australia has strict fire regulations and is a safe place for travel.
Visiting Ireland on a trade mission, Premier Peter Beattie took the opportunity to offer his condolences to the family of Julie O'Keeffe, the Irish girl who lost her life along with 14 others in a fire in a backpacker hostel in Childers, Queensland. Despite this tragedy, the Premier said that Queensland is still a safe place to visit.
Princess Anne visited the town of Childers today to pay her respects to the victims of the blaze. Hundreds of people, including survivors of the fire, lined the streets to greet the British Princess. As the investigation into the fire continues, the family of Julie O'Keefe has now flown out to Australia to bring their daughter home.
