The Albanese Government must urgently provide transparency to Australians regarding the imminent return of ISIS-affiliated individuals.
- First – the Government must clarify what communications have occurred with the United States Government which is reportedly facilitating repatriation efforts. It must confirm whether any discussions have taken place at official or ministerial level or through any other means and whether these arrangements have been sanctioned by Australia.
- Second – the Government must outline how many additional ISIS brides who are overseas are intending to travel here, where returnees will be resettled, including which city or community, and what consultation has occurred with local authorities and residents, what protections are in place, whether it can guarantee public safety, and the expected cost of managing these returns.
- Third – the Government must outline the arrangements in place with commercial airlines to ensure the safety of other passengers and airports involved in repatriation flights.
- Fourth – the Government must confirm whether individuals will be taken into custody, what offences are alleged, and why Temporary Exclusion Orders have not been applied to more than one individual. It must also explain why some individuals may be subject to arrest while others are not.
- Fifth – the Government must also confirm whether any individuals facing arrest are travelling with children, and what arrangements are in place for the children should their guardian be arrested.
- Sixth – serious allegations relating to Yazidi slavery must be clarified, including whether these claims have been investigated and what findings have been made.
Australians elected a government to make decisions and to lead, not one that lets another country dictate our foreign policy and stands on the sidelines while decisions are made around them.
The Coalition views it as unacceptable that the Australian Government is considering arresting individuals once they land. Instead, they should not be allowing these individuals to enter Australia – a country that they left to support a terrorist organisation in Syria.
Australians are entitled to transparent answers on matters of national security and community safety.