What's been said about MH17

QUOTES ABOUT MH17 PLANE DOWNED IN UKRAINE

"This is a terrible tragedy. We don't know the cause but there is speculation that the plane was shot down. If that is the case it is an unspeakable crime." - Prime Minister Tony Abbott

"This incident underlines the urgent need to de-escalate tensions in eastern Ukraine." - Foreign Minister Julie Bishop

"For those who have lost loved ones today, words cannot suffice. This is a terrible tragedy and it reminds us of what really matters." - Penny Wong, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate

"This is a tragic day, in what has already been a tragic year, for Malaysia. Today, regardless of nationality, we are all united in grief." - Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak

"As a country our thoughts and prayers are with all the families of the passengers, wherever they may call home." - US President Barack Obama

"Today we need to come together and do all we can to comfort and support each other as the impacts of this disaster filter throughout the community." - Governor General Peter Cosgrove

"This incident is not a catastrophe. It is a terrorist act." - Official spokesman for Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

"There is no doubt that the country on whose territory this terrible tragedy happened bears responsibility." - Russian President Vladimir Putin

"I'm just appalled. I'm very anxious like everyone else to find out exactly what happened." - ASIO director-general David Irvine

"Someone will need to be responsible for this heinous crime. There is no doubt the plane was shot out of the sky." - Education Minister Christopher Pyne