James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Minister, when did the government first learn that a close personal friend, political fundraiser and campaigner on behalf of the home affairs minister, Dr Jamal Rifi, was involved in trying to facilitate the passports and travel of so-called ISIS brides and their children to Australia? And how, specifically, did the government become aware?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

First, in relation to the gentleman concerned, I think Minister Burke has been clear publicly that he has no knowledge of Mr Rifi's actions and whereabouts other than what he has read in the media. Mr Rifi himself has said he has not spoken to Mr Burke about this issue since June of last year. I've got nothing to add to Minister Burke's answers.

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

Senator Paterson, first supplementary.

James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In light of media reports that male relatives recently handed passports to a group of 34 so-called ISIS brides and their children in a Syrian camp, that Dr Rifi self-described himself as the 'delivery boy' for these passports and that the passports were originally given to representatives of a law firm, were all the individuals who handed another person's passport in this case authorised to do so under the Australian Passports Act 2005, especially section 37?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What individuals do is really a matter for them. I can only speak to actions of the Australian government and Australian officials, and I have responded to questions on this issue on multiple occasions. Australians who apply for passports are entitled to receive those passports unless they are not eligible in the terms I outlined earlier.

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

Senator Paterson, second supplementary.

James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

During the 2025 election campaign, Dr Rifi wrote an open letter in a newspaper saying that re-electing Tony Burke was 'the only hope for voters in Watson' that further ISIS brides and children would return to Australia. What assurances were given to Dr Rifi that allowed him to make this commitment on behalf of Minister Burke?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, (a) I'm not aware of assurances and (b) if you're asking about discussions in relation to that letter, that's a matter for Minister Burke.