West Australian victim identification experts are on standby and could be sent to Ukraine to help recover the bodies of those killed in the MH17 disaster.

WA Premier Colin Barnett, who returned from holidays on Monday, spoke about the tragedy and said WA police may assist the recovery in coming days and weeks.

Eleven people on board the Malaysia Airlines plane that was shot down over Ukraine on Friday, killing 298 people on board, were bound for Perth.

“The West Australian police and particularly the disaster victim identification unit is basically on standby should it be required to go to the site and help to identify and recover bodies,” he said.

“Obviously decisions relating to that are made by the federal government but West Australian Police have been asked to be in a state of preparedness.”

Mr Barnett said gaining access to the site was the main issue holding up the recovery process.

“Hopefully international cooperation will give access to that site and loved ones can be recovered and brought home,” he said.

“The one thing the Russians can do right now is to use their authority to secure that site and to allow the various representatives of different countries involved to be able to go there and recover their citizens.”

Mr Barnett expressed his heartfelt sympathy for family and friends of those who lost their lives on the plane.

He said he planned to write to each of the families of those who died in the incident.

“I think all of Australia is still in a sense of shock and dismay and sadness at the tragic loss of life,” Mr Barnett said.

He said in addition to a national memorial day, Western Australia will also hold an event.

Condolence books will be available to sign and express their thoughts on the tragedy; the first of which will soon be available at Parliament House.

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