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

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs, Senator Watt. It appears that multiple federal and state government agencies are working on operations relating to the return to Australia of a cohort of Islamic State associates. The acting chief of the NSW Police Force has made clear his state force is working with federal counterparts to finalise operations in relation to the return of Islamic State associates. Is any government department involved in the issuing of birth certificates or travel documents to children born overseas to parents who are Australian citizens and are associates of ISIS? Can the minister advise if there are any other government agencies who are working with state counterparts to finalise operations relating to the return of these individuals?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Environment and Water) Share this | Link to 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.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Scarr, first supplementary?

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

I'll be very particular, Minister. Is any government department issuing any birth certificates or travel documents to any children born overseas to parents who are Australian citizens and ISIS associates in preparation or in assistance to, or in any way in connection with, the return of those persons to Australia?

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

Thank you, Senator Scarr. Again, the information I have to hand is that the Australian government is not providing assistance and is not repatriating individuals in Syrian IDP camps.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Scarr, on a point of order?

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

Again, I'll ask the particular—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think the minister has finished answering. Do you have a second supplementary?

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

I will ask the particular question again: is any government department issuing travel documents or birth certificates to children born overseas to parents who are Australian citizens and are ISIS associates—is the government issuing any of these documents?

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

I refer Senator Scarr to my previous answers.