Six ISIS-linked women and children expected to return to Australia as Coalition attacks Labor over transparency

Melbourne, May 19: Six Australian women with alleged links to ISIS, along with their children, are expected to return to Australia as early as next week, triggering a political dispute between the Coalition and the Labor government over transparency and national security.

Shadow Home Affairs spokesperson Jonno Duniam has accused the Albanese Labor government of “hiding behind spin” as preparations continue for the group’s repatriation from Syria’s al-Roj detention camp.

According to The Australian, negotiations are underway with Kurdish authorities to prioritise urgent humanitarian repatriations from the camp. The move follows a broader agreement aimed at managing and facilitating returns from detention facilities in Syria.

Reports suggest Syrian officials recently attempted a discreet operation to transfer the group, but the effort was halted after Kurdish authorities intervened.

If arrangements are finalised, the women and their children could arrive in Australia as early as Tuesday evening next week. However, the timing remains uncertain and depends on finalising travel logistics, including approvals to transfer funds for flights departing from Damascus.

One woman who is subject to an exclusion order imposed by the Albanese government is expected to remain in Syria and will not be part of the group returning to Australia.

The Labor government has maintained that it has not provided assistance to the cohort. However, questions have been raised about whether passports, travel documents, or other consular support were issued, and why temporary exclusion orders were not applied in all cases.

Shadow Immigration spokesperson Jonno Duniam has accused the Labor government of “hiding behind spin” over the ISIS brides saga. Image: Collected

Shadow Home Affairs Minister Jonno Duniam has called for clarity on what security measures will be in place once the group arrives in Australia.

“The Albanese Government cannot keep hiding behind spin while even more Australians linked to ISIS are making their way back into the country,” he told SkyNews.com.au.

“Three of the four adults who recently returned were arrested on very serious crimes on their arrival, which says plenty about the level of risk.

“The Government must explain why every available power, including temporary exclusion orders and passport controls, is not being used to protect Australians.

“Australians deserve the truth. They deserve to know what assistance was provided, whether passports, travel documents, consular support or travel arrangements were involved, and what security monitoring is now in place. This goes directly to national security, public safety and the Government’s duty to be honest with the Australian people.”

He further accused Labor of being “extraordinarily weak on borders, transparency and national security”.

The government, however, has rejected claims that it assisted the group’s return and has not publicly detailed the operational arrangements for the repatriation.

Security agencies are expected to monitor the returning individuals upon arrival, though the exact nature of those arrangements has not been disclosed.

The issue has reignited debate in Australia over the repatriation of individuals linked to extremist organisations, particularly women and children held in conflict-zone detention camps.

Authorities have not confirmed the exact arrival date, but preparations are reportedly in their final stages as diplomatic and logistical arrangements continue.