Official Confirms No Ban on Welfare Payments to ISIS ‘Brides’ and Children

Returning Australian ISIS partners and children may qualify for welfare if they satisfy eligibility requirements, a Senate estimates hearing has been told.

Liberal Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price questioned officials during the Community Affairs Legislation Committee on whether ISIS-linked parties were subject to “benefit restriction notices,” a tool that can suspend access to welfare payments in limited circumstances.

Matt Flavel, deputy secretary of social security, told the committee that no such notices had been issued.

Flavel also said neither the Department of Home Affairs nor ministers had sought advice from his department on using benefit restriction notices in relation to the group of women and children recently returned from Syria.

“I’m not aware that we’ve been asked for any sort of further advice or any of those other people or bodies you’ve mentioned have sought advice about benefit restriction notices since that time,” Flavel said on June 4.

Flavel said three conditions had to be met before restricting welfare services could be considered: a person must be alleged to have committed a serious violent or sexual offence, a warrant must have been issued for their arrest, and they must be actively evading police.

“Those three tests would need to be met in order for contemplation to be given to the issuing of a notice,” he said.

Even then, a police agency must formally request the notice and the Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke must consult Services Australia about the potential impact on any dependents before any restriction.

Flavel declined to comment on whether the ISIS-linked party qualified for such restrictions.

Did Any ISIS ‘Bride’ or Children Receive Welfare?

Senator Price also asked whether any members of the cohort had been granted social security payments.

Flavel said he could not comment on individual cases but explained that eligibility would be assessed under the same rules that apply to any Australian resident.

“Their status for the purposes of social security will be determined by the Social Security Act, in particular whether they meet residency requirements, whether they’re citizens, and whether they meet all the other requirements for an individual payment.”

He said applicants would still need to satisfy the normal eligibility tests for payments such as JobSeeker, including residency and payment-specific requirements.

The hearing follows the May arrival of two batches of ISIS supporters from Syria including 22 women and children. So far three women have been arrested.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese previously said he had “nothing but contempt for anyone who has any sympathy with ISIS” and insisted the government provided no financial assistance to them.

He also warned they would “face the full force of the law” based on advice from security agencies.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke likewise said the latest group had travelled from Syria without government assistance.

“These are people who have made the horrific choice to join a dangerous terrorist organisation and to place their children in an unspeakable situation,” he said.