Turnbull writes to MH17 victims' families

The families of Australians killed in the MH17 disaster over eastern Ukraine will soon get a personal letter from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Following a Dutch Safety Board report showing the Malaysia Airlines passenger jet was shot down with a Russian-made missile, Mr Turnbull told parliament on Wednesday "our prayers and love" are with the families of all the victims.

"Today, I am writing to the bereaved families to assure them that they have the heartfelt sympathies of the nation as this process continues," he said.

Mr Turnbull condemned Russia for using its veto power at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council in July to avoid the creation of special international criminal tribunal aimed at bringing the perpetrators to justice.

"We are focused on all possible options for prosecuting those responsible, with a view to securing due punishment for this crime," he said.

Mr Turnbull echoed the words of Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, who has been at the forefront of international efforts to establish a criminal investigation into the tragedy.

"As she has said, we will not be bullied by Russia. We and all the nations whose citizens share our grief, are determined to do everything we can no matter how long it takes to identify those responsible and bring them to justice."

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said the report released overnight was "another step in the unfinished journey to justice".

"All of us as we grow older have experience of the pain of mourning, the heavy weight of sadness and sorrow and loss, but none in this place can imagine the added burden of the families of those aboard MH17 have had to bear," he told parliament.