Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Senator, I refer to Senator Cash's previous question and reports about the proposed return from Syria to Australia of individuals who made the decision to leave Australia and join the ISIS death cult. It was reported that senior federal government officials are assisting the operation quietly in the background and intend to work with families of those in the camps and not-for-profit organisations to issue travel documents and obtain approvals from Kurdish led authorities in neighbouring countries. I also note, in the same article as you refer to, home affairs minister Tony Burke is quoted as saying, 'The government is not providing assistance to this cohort.' Can the government guarantee that no taxpayer dollars are being spent assisting former ISIS supporters or associates to return to Australia?