Overview
- Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says Canberra is not assisting a return of 34 women and children from Syria and confirms passports were issued as a legal entitlement.
- One person in the cohort is subject to a temporary exclusion order of up to two years after intelligence agencies judged the rest did not meet the threshold for the same step.
- The Opposition proposes a new offence carrying up to 10 years in prison for anyone who facilitates the re‑entry of people linked to terrorist hotspots or organisations, with an exception requiring express ministerial permission.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and legal experts question the proposal’s constitutional viability, while Save the Children denies conducting repatriations and warns against criminalising humanitarian advocacy.
- The group recently attempted to leave al‑Roj camp but was returned due to administrative hurdles, and state agencies say arrangements exist to manage any arrivals as rights bodies continue to highlight harsh camp conditions.