Julie Bishop to push for criminal tribunal into MH17 downing

Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop will push for the United Nations Security Council to establish an international criminal tribunal on the downing of flight MH17 12 months ago.

Australia and the four other members of the joint investigation team - Belgium, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Ukraine - are in New York to argue the case for a tribunal to investigate the downing of the Malaysia Airlines plane and the prosecution of those responsible.

But the push faces a resolute Russia, which is expected to veto the proposal.

The flight was downed on July 17 last year over rebel-held east Ukraine, during heavy fighting between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists.

All 298 people, including 39 from Australia, onboard the flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur were killed.

Malaysia has circulated a draft resolution requiring all countries to co-operate with the special tribunal or face sanctions, and called for a vote on Wednesday.

Russia has objected to the tribunal and has asked instead for the conclusions of an investigation into the disaster, which are expected in October.

Ms Bishop said the MH17 disaster had "far-reaching implications" for the safety and security of all air travellers.