Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Environment and Water) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Scarr, for the question. This is obviously an issue that the opposition have concentrated a lot of time on in question time over the last couple of days. As Senator Farrell has already stated, the situation in Syria is becoming increasingly unstable. Our security agencies have been monitoring and continue to monitor the situation to ensure they are prepared for any Australian from this cohort returning home. I can repeat what Senator Farrell has said, which is that the Australian government is not providing assistance and is not repatriating individuals in Syrian IDP camps. More broadly, our government is one that always acts in line with security advice. We'll continue to do that whether it be in relation to this situation or any other.