Praise for local heroes

THE government has paid tribute to the brave Australians who helped rescue the young football team.

“I am very proud that the Australian team have been able to play such an important and critical role in the rescue,” Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said.

Ms Bishop said she had not made direct contact with the rescuers yet but would do so at an “appropriate time”.

“Their priorities are on the rescue,” she said.

“At some appropriate time I will most certainly make contact with our team and thank them for the extraordinary work that they have put in.”