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The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that the dual national was in stable condition on Tuesday evening.
Danish tourists Anne-Sofie Coyman, 20, and Freja Sorensen, 21, and American man 57-year-old James Hutson all stayed at Nana Backpacker Hostel, alongside Jones and Bowles.
Mark Jones said he and his family desperately miss Bianca.Credit: Simon Schluter
The other death from the suspected poisoning was 28-year-old British lawyer Simone White.
Eight people linked to the hostel were detained by police in Vang Vieng on Tuesday, local media reported.
Speaking at the Melbourne Airport on Tuesday evening, Jones said he was happy to hear there had been some movement in Laos since his departure from Bangkok.
“I would continue to urge the government to continue to pursue whomever,” he said.
Jones thanked the Australian Federal Police and the Australian government for their support and asked for privacy for both families over the coming days.
“Give us some space. We want to grieve,” he said.
Laophattana News reported that Laos police have detained the management and staff of Nana hostel. The arrested are reportedly all male and aged between 23 and 47.
Police ordered the closure of Nana hostel late last week and questioned the venue’s manager on Friday in the Laotian capital, Vientiane.
Foreign tourists walk past the closed Nana Backpackers hostel in Vang Vieng.Credit: AP
The Bowles and Jones families declined to comment on the progress of the investigation on Tuesday evening.
“We’ll leave that to the politicians,” Jones said.
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DFAT said Australian officials in Laos and Thailand were working closely with local authorities.
“Investigations are underway and we are offering any assistance we can provide,” a spokesperson said.
DFAT said it was continuing to provide consular assistance to the families, including through the repatriation of the two teenagers.
“Our thoughts are with the families at this deeply distressing time,” a spokesperson said.