Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Farrell. Yesterday the Prime Minister told the parliament that reports ISIS brides were being repatriated to Australia were not accurate. Yet last night we learned that the acting chief of the New South Wales Police Force said that his state force is working with federal counterparts to finalise operations relating to the return of Islamic State operatives.

There is a strong concern in the Australian community about these individuals returning to Australia, given they willingly joined the ISIS death cult, a terrorist group who committed genocide against Shias, Yazidis and Christians and used rape as a weapon of war. Given the Prime Minister's sidestepping yesterday, will the minister be clear and honest with the Australian people and confirm whether individuals associated or formerly associated with ISIS are returning to Australia or have returned to Australia in recent months—yes or no?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Cash for her first question. As you said, the Prime Minister has addressed this issue. Of course, the Foreign minister, yesterday, did address the issue extensively in terms of a response to the issues that have been raised regarding the so-called ISIS brides.

The situation in Syria is becoming increasingly unstable. Our security agencies have been monitoring and continue to monitor the situation to ensure that they are prepared for any Australian from this cohort to return home. But, as the Prime Minister and the Foreign minister have said—and let us by very clear about this—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 Cash, first supplementary?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In a statement in this chamber earlier today, Senator Gallagher confirmed security agencies have been monitoring and continue to monitor a cohort of Australians in Syria. As we know, the cohort referred to are the ISIS death cult associates. Minister, can the government confirm if any of that cohort have already returned to Australia?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Cash for her first supplementary question. I thought Senator Gallagher was very clear in what she had said about this situation. Can I repeat: our security agencies have been monitoring and continue to monitor the situation to ensure that they are prepared for any Australian from this cohort to return home. And can I reiterate what said in my earlier answer: the Australian government is not providing assistance to, and will not be repatriating, individuals in Syrian IDP camps.

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

Senator Cash, second supplementary?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the government therefore guarantee that no taxpayers' funds at all will be spent on the return to Australia of ISIS associates, including on their travel costs?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Cash for her second supplementary question. I can confirm, and be very clear on this, that the Australian government is not providing assistance and is not repatriating individuals in Syrian IDP camps.