Foreign minister Julie Bishop is in New York to push for an independent inquiry into the downing of Malaysian Airline plane MH17.

The push, which is backed by Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, The Netherlands and Ukraine, will be taken to a vote at the UN Security Council.

Significantly, for the inquiry to go ahead it will require a “yes” vote from Russia, who holds veto power as a member of the Security Council.

Vladimir Putin has not backed an independent inquiry. Photo: AAP

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Almost 300 people lost their lives when plane MH17 went down over Russia-Ukraine territory on July 17, 2014.

It is believed that pro-Russian separatists were behind the attack, which occurred in the small Ukrainian town of Rozsypne.

Ms Bishop told Nine News on Wednesday that she had enjoyed “frank discussions” with the Russian delegate in the lead up to her address of the council.

The foreign minister said she had implored the Russian delegate not to veto the move for a UN-backed inquiry.

“I countered every argument he put forward as to why a tribunal should not be set up,” Ms Bishop said.

“I don’t believe a veto should be used to deny justice to the families of those aboard MH17.”

Speaking to Sky News, Ms Bishop emphasised the need to bring justice to the victim’s families.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. We owe it to the families and the loved ones of those who died on MH17 to pursue the criminal investigation as soon as possible.”

Ms Bishop noted that the criminal investigation has already been underway for 12 months.

“It’s finding should be presented to an independent inquiry, and I think a UN backed would have the integrity needed.”

While Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin has called the push “premature” and “counterproductive”, Ms Bishop said she believed it was only right to set up an independent inquiry before the results of the criminal investigation were handed down.

“We need to send a clear message that downing a commercial plane in commercial airspace will not be tolerated by the international community.”

Australia and the four other nations behind the move are pushing for a resolution that would bind all UN member states and including sanctions for those responsible.

– with AAP