Labor has refused to rule out further action against Laos after the families of two Australian teenagers who died from methanol poisoning pleaded for Anthony Albanese to intervene over what they say is a failure to deliver justice.

Bianca Jones’ parents have pleaded with Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong to continue pressing Laos for justice, saying they are devastated by reports those allegedly responsible for the deaths of five tourists could face a maximum sentence of just one year in jail and a collective fine of about $1600.

“I would ask that Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong continue their engagement with Laos,” Bianca’s father said. “It’s unacceptable that the passing of our daughter, her best friend Holly and three other beautiful women... come down to the potential maximum outcome of one year in jail and $1,600.”

Her mother said the news left the family feeling as though “their lives didn’t even matter”, while the couple also issued a stark warning to Australians considering travelling to Laos.

“Don’t go to Laos. Your life doesn’t matter,” Bianca’s father said, urging travellers to stick to sealed drinks if they head overseas.

Appearing on Sunrise on Friday, Acting Foreign Minister Mark Butler said Australians were “devastated” by the developments and confirmed the Government was waiting for further details from Lao authorities before deciding its next steps.

“We’re all devastated by this,” Mr Butler said.

“Holly and Bianca lost their lives at just 19, two young Melbourne girls who were off on their coming-of-age trip, and four other foreign nationals lost their lives at the same time in what was an absolute tragedy and absolute travesty.”

Mr Butler said Australia had consistently pushed Laos for “transparency and, importantly, accountability” and had even offered Australian Federal Police assistance if investigators needed help gathering evidence to support prosecutions.

“We offered our own Federal Police to go over there and assist with gathering the evidence that would ground a proper prosecution here to ensure that people were held accountable for the loss of all of these innocent young lives,” he said.

Asked whether Australia’s foreign aid to Laos could now be reviewed, Mr Butler stopped short of committing to any action, saying the Government would first assess the outcome of a press conference expected from Lao authorities later on Friday.

“We’ll have more to say about this when we understand fully what is said in the press conference later today,” he said.

“But I do make the point that these foreign aid provisions are intended to prevent these sorts of things happening in the first place.”

Deputy Opposition Leader Jane Hume said Australians expected the Government to exhaust every diplomatic option available.

“I would hope that the Prime Minister would use every single lever he can pull, every diplomatic lever he could, including engaging with his counterpart, to make sure that justice can be delivered for these two young girls,” she said.