Liberal Senator Michaelia Cash has probed the Labor government on reports claiming “ISIS brides” and their children have been repatriated to Australia.
During a Senate Estimates hearing on Oct. 7, Cash asked a representative of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet if she could confirm whether the two women and four children were now in Australia.
Kendra Morony, acting deputy secretary of international and security, told Senator Cash at the Finance and Public Administration Estimates that she could not comment on individual cases.
A back-and-forth ensued, with Cash continuing to ask for clarity on the question, and Morony continuing to point out she could not comment.
“I’m not asking you again to provide any detail,” Cash said.
“I find it almost astounding that the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet is not able to confirm whether or not the Australian ISIS brides and their children are now back in Australia. Are you saying that the media reporting is wrong?”
Morony told Cash the government was aware of the reports but repeated her point on privacy. Several outlets suggest the party is now back in Australia having found a way to leave Syria. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has denied the Commonwealth had any involvement.
The same questions were then directed towards senator and Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who was also present.
“Obviously, the Department can’t comment for the reasons Ms. Morony has outlined,” Wong said.
“I think what [Home Affairs Minister Tony] Burke has said publicly is that it is well known there are individuals who are seeking to return to Australia.
“Obviously there are community and some third parties who have been advocating for these people. Agencies are aware of who the persons of interests are, and agencies are satisfied that they’re prepared if any of these find their way home to return again.”
Cash said she would continue to pursue the case.
“The prime minister has made comment in both Question Time, on numerous occasions and now in the media, in relation to the reports, and in particular, as I stated, the prime minister has previously stated that the reports indicating their imminent return were, quote, not accurate.
Cash said it was in the national interest to have clarity on the matter.
“I think it has been well and truly established that [ISIS] are, without a doubt, one of the worst terrorist organisations in living memory.
Cash then asked questions on whether Albanese had met with Save the Children, a charity working to bring the women and children to Australia.
Wong said the question would need to go to other committees.
“You’re making an assertion which may or may not be true, which is obviously a questioning technique, but just because you say it does not make it true, Senator Cash,” Wong said.
Who are the ISIS Brides?
The so-called ISIS brides are Australian women who entered Syria in order to either marry ISIS fighters or join their husbands who had already left.
Media reports claim the women and their children had undergone DNA tests to verify their identities and facilitate their return to Australia after they travelled to Lebanon.
In some cases, children of ISIS brides may be considered Australian citizens, while in other situations they may be stateless.
Some women claim to have travelled willingly to support ISIS, while others have claimed to have been coerced.
The total number of “brides” and their children is estimated to be around 40 with many still in Syria.
ISIS is a violent extremist group that emerged in Syria and Iraq, setting out to establish an Islamic state.
It is a listed terror group which has committed documented offences including killings and kidnappings.
In 2022, Labor faced pushback for ushering four ISIS brides and their 13 children into Sydney.
Friends Read Free
Copy
Facebook
Tweet
