Andrew Hastie (Canning, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Home Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Home Affairs. It follows the Prime Minister's earlier refusal to answer the question. Can the minister confirm that none of his staff or departmental officials made representations to any relevant departments or agencies to support or expedite the issuing of Australian passports to ISIS sympathisers in Syria?

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I notice they're not asking questions about the private member's bill that they tried to introduce. 'Jail the baggage handlers' seems to have gone away!

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

And the Americans!

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Oh, that's right—and the allies! Criminalising the allies is what they tried to introduce to the parliament earlier.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order, Leader of the Opposition! I want to hear from the Leader of the House, but the Leader of the House will also return to the question.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The cohort concerned asked to be repatriated. They were told no. They took us to court to try to force a repatriation. We fought that case and we won. Then they asked again for repatriation, and we said no. Public servants have done what they are legally obliged to do and no more. That does not constitute assistance. We've made clear that this group will not be assisted by the government, and they have not been.